David Moyes hints at Beto axe with Everton alternatives suggested
David Moyes has insisted that Everton are assessing their options going forward, amid huge question marks over the form of Beto.
Beto has been slammed for his performances for Everton this season, with the striker scoring just one goal from his opening nine Premier League appearances.
Thierno Barry is Moyes’ other natural option, but the 22-year-old is yet to find his feet following his summer move from Villarreal.
Everton lost 3-0 to Tottenham last week, with Beto missing several key chances throughout the game.
Moyes is expected to drop Beto for the trip to Sunderland on Monday, but the Scot is lacking in ideal alternatives.
David Moyes suggests unexpected Beto alternatives
Iliman Ndiaye could play through the middle for Everton, with the Senegal international performing superbly well in the role for Sheffield United previously.
But the winger provides so much danger off the right-hand side, and Moyes would understandably be hesitant to disrupt the Toffees’ wing partnership of Ndiaye and Jack Grealish.
Looking past the 25-year-old, however, there is few obvious options for the Scot to choose from.
However, speaking ahead of the Sunderland game, Moyes suggested that Everton are considering other options within the squad.
“I will look to see if there are other options if I think I’m not getting what I want,” he said on Friday.
“We’ve got two people who are number nines. Ili (Ndiaye), you mentioned, gives you less of a focal point and changes how you may have to play and build.
“We’ve got one or two other people who could possibly come into that debate, as well, so we’re not going to bury our heads in the sand. We’re certainly thinking about it.”
Who could Moyes be talking about?
The name that immediately springs to mind when hearing Moyes’ comments is Carlos Alcaraz. The 22-year-old played the position on occasion for Southampton, and would appear to have the traits necessary.
The Argentine is a superb technician, and a strong finisher inside the box. The same problem would persist with the midfielder, however, with Everton unlikely to be able to play the ball long towards him.
The other option Moyes has may well come in the form of summer signing Merlin Rohl. The German has made three appearances for the Toffees so far this season, all coming in midfield, where he has completed 76 per cent of his passes.
But the 23-year-old may well be an ideal candidate through the middle for Everton. Rohl has played the position briefly, and possesses both the technical quality and the physicality to fit Moyes’ system.
| Merlin Rohl | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Minutes played | 68 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.42 |
| Pass accuracy | 76% |
| Tackles per game | 1 |
| Duels won per game | 3.3 |
| Dribble success rate | 0.3 |
Of course, the Scot would be taking a risk by deploying Rohl in attack. But with Beto and Barry in such poor form, the Everton boss has very little to lose.
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