Everton manager David Moyes admits squad shortages after a frustrating transfer window close.

James Garner is considered a key first-team player after appearing in all 38 Premier League matches for Everton last season, operating both in midfield and at full-back. He had also recently returned from hernia surgery before featuring in the draw at Bournemouth.
Moyes said he had not been informed of reports that Everton’s majority owners, The Friedkin Group, were working with advisers on a possible sale of a significant stake in the club, adding that investment discussions were “beyond my jurisdiction.”
Chelsea’s reported interest in Garner came after the club agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125 million and saw a proposed £47 million move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara collapse at the last minute.
Everton had only 18 senior outfield players available after the transfer window closed, underscoring the scale of the squad shortage Moyes faces before January.
Everton's transfer window ended in disappointment, with manager David Moyes left short on attacking firepower after key targets slipped away. EPL Index reported that Moyes flatly denied Yahoo Sports claims that Chelsea bid for midfielder James Garner on deadline day, calling the rumors completely untrue. The Toffees now face the challenge of operating with only 18 senior outfield players available.
Everton's summer woes intensified after Give Me Sport confirmed that attackers Iliman Ndiaye departed for Manchester City for £65 million and Beto moved to Fiorentina for roughly £15 million. With Thierno Barry as the only senior striker remaining, Moyes is now hunting the free-agent market, eyeing former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial to plug the gap before January arrives.
James Garner will remain at Everton after Moyes dismissed reports linking the midfielder to Chelsea. EPL Index noted that the 23-year-old appeared in all 38 Premier League matches last season, proving his value across midfield and full-back positions. Moyes stressed the timing made no sense, especially with Garner having just returned from hernia surgery before featuring in the recent draw at Bournemouth.
Everton reportedly made a late deadline-day offer exceeding £40 million for West Ham striker Taty Castellanos. However, the Hammers would only have accepted the bid if they secured a replacement striker before the window closed. The clock ran out on both fronts, leaving Moyes without the signing he desperately wanted and forcing Everton to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcement.
Everton closed the window with severe squad limitations. Only 18 senior outfield players remain available, a critical shortage Moyes must manage until the January transfer window opens. The club did add Jack Grealish on loan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, but Moyes acknowledged this fell short of their needs. He confirmed that Everton are now exploring free agents, with Anthony Martial emerging as a possible stop-gap option.
Moyes revealed he has not been informed of reports that Everton's majority owners, The Friedkin Group, are working with advisers on a possible stake sale. The manager distanced himself from investment discussions, calling them "beyond my jurisdiction." This separation suggests Moyes is focused solely on squad assembly and avoiding involvement in broader ownership negotiations at the club.
Publishers
14
Articles
14
Reach
28