Moyes laments Everton's thin squad after disappointing transfer window

David Moyes did not hide his disappointment as the summer transfer window closed for Everton. In a press conference on September 4, the Scottish manager admitted his team possesses a squad that is too thin, to the point where he is forced to push academy players into the fire even though he is not sure they are ready. 'We have a real small squad,' Moyes said. 'A few young players will have to be promoted. I don't know if they are ready yet, but we have no other choice.' The recent transfer window was a nightmare for Everton. They lost attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City – a deal Moyes admitted he was powerless to stop. 'He wanted to leave, and we cannot keep a player when a bigger club comes calling. That is the reality of modern football,' he explained. Ndiaye's departure leaves a big gap in the attack, which already relied heavily on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The most notable deal was the attempt to sign Folarin Balogun from AS Monaco. According to Monaco's CEO, the deal fell through at the last minute due to a medical issue. Everton discovered something during the medical checks and decided to pull out. Moyes did not go into detail, but he implicitly criticized the recruitment process: 'A few things went against us. We tried, but it didn't work out.' As a result, Everton enter the season with only 18 genuine first-team players – the lowest number in the Premier League. The disappointment is not limited to the press room. The Everton Fans' Forum has criticized the board's transfer planning. 'We want answers about the long-term strategy. Why do we keep losing key players without adequate replacements?' a fan representative asked. Pressure from the stands is mounting, and Moyes may be the first to suffer if results are poor. From a tactical perspective, a thin squad forces Moyes to rotate very limitedly. With the congested Premier League schedule, the risk of injury and fatigue is very high. In particular, if Calvert-Lewin gets injured – something that has happened many times in the past – Everton will have no top-class center-forward to replace him. This makes the Merseyside club extremely fragile against relegation rivals. From a financial perspective, Everton is constrained by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). After being deducted points twice in the 2026/24 season for violations, the club has to tighten spending. The sale of Ndiaye was not a tactical decision but a financial necessity to balance the books. The money received seems to have been used for debt repayment or investment in the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, rather than reinvestment in the squad. 'Everton is walking a tightrope,' a transfer market analyst noted. 'They cannot spend heavily for fear of breaching PSR, but a thin squad will expose them to relegation – which is far more costly. It's a vicious cycle.' Moyes, with his vast experience in relegation battles (having saved West Ham), is trying to lower expectations. His statements may be a psychological tactic to shift pressure onto the board, while also creating an 'underdog story' if the team overcomes difficulties. However, the reality on the pitch is harsh. Relegation rivals like Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton have had more active transfer windows. They have strengthened squad depth, while Everton has remained almost static. Without a breakthrough from young players or a successful January window, the likelihood of Everton being relegated is very high. The only positive signal is the emergence of a few academy talents. Moyes said he will give them opportunities but admitted uncertainty about their quality. 'They have talent, but the Premier League is a tough environment. I hope they can adapt quickly,' he said. This could be a chance for unknown names to shine, but it could also be a risky gamble. Looking ahead, Everton will have to fight against their own limitations. Fan patience is wearing thin, and every defeat will increase the pressure. Moyes understands that. 'I cannot promise anything except that we will fight to the end. With this squad, every match is a final,' he concluded. The lesson from Everton is a reminder of the harshness of modern football, where financial rules can suffocate sporting ambition. With a thin squad, a frustrated manager, and discontented fans, the 2026/25 season promises to be a thorny journey for the Merseyside club.