David Moyes has acknowledged that Everton must significantly strengthen their squad, marking his first major press appearance of the summer.
The Merseyside club have converted Tyrique George’s and Merlin Rohl’s temporary arrangements into full-time contracts while also securing Hayden Hackney, Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson ahead of last season’s 13th-placed Premier League finish.
In conversation with Sky Sports journalist Vinny O’Connor, the Toffees boss said they are still needing quite a few players to add to the squad. He said he would like to do more if possible and they need to see how the remaining few weeks go.
When questioned regarding Jack Grealish, the winger who spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Hill Dickinson Stadium before rejoining Manchester City for their Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, Moyes said no, not at the moment. He said it is not for him to talk, Jack is a player at Manchester City and he does not think it is right to talk about players at other clubs.
The club also missed out on recruiting a new right-back, a role Moyes confirmed at the winter transfer window’s conclusion had been a recruitment priority for over 12 months.
When pressed on remaining areas requiring reinforcement, the Scottish manager declined to elaborate. He said he is not going to tell them, but they are well aware of what is required and they are working hard to try and make it happen.
Moyes attended Turf Moor on Sunday to observe Burnley face his former employers West Ham United.
The 63-year-old expressed contentment with Everton’s completed transfers while acknowledging considerable work remains.
During his previous tenure at Goodison Park, Moyes guided the club to nine top-eight league finishes, including their record fourth-placed Premier League position in his initial spell in charge. He said he is pleased with the players they have brought in, noting that two of them were already at the club last year so they have just made them permanent.
He said he anticipates Hackney will require time to acclimatise from the Championship to the top flight, which is typical for players transitioning between divisions. He said Norgaard brings considerable experience and will help fill the void left by Idrissa Gueye, though he currently carries an injury. He said Johnson arrived following the player-swap arrangement involving McNeil. He said they are building something, but internally they recognise they have substantial progress ahead and must accomplish considerably more.