David Moyes’ latest Everton admission will set alarm bells ringing for the Friedkin Group
Everton boss David Moyes has not welcomed a single new addition to his squad this month.
Harrison Armstrong returned to Everton from Preston, while Harry Tyrer and Will Tamen have left, the former permanently and the latter on loan.
Everton have been linked with several forwards, most notably Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri, but are yet to strike a deal.
Time is running out for the Blues to make a signing, with just six days left in the transfer market, and Moyes seemed to send a message to the Friedkin Group after the 1-1 draw with Leeds.
What did David Moyes say after Everton vs Leeds
Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made their comebacks from injury for Everton in the Hill Dickinson Stadium clash.
However, Moyes has admitted that in an ideal world, he would not have brought them on after the half-time break.
In quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo on 27 January, he said: “My plan was not to use Jarrad as early, or Kiernan, because Jarrad’s probably not played for eight months, and Kiernan could have probably played 45 minutes, but the idea was not to.
“So, it wasn’t as if these boys on the bench could play, they couldn’t, but I thought they made a big difference when they came on.”
Why Moyes’ admission will have alarm bells ringing for the Friedkins
Moyes’ recent admission will surely leave the Friedkins concerned about the rest of the campaign if they do not make any additions before the deadline.
The fact that the Scotsman was forced to use Branthwaite and Dewsbury-Hall earlier than he was supposed to is a damning indictment of the lack of business done so far.
The Toffees need reinforcements in several areas, particularly at right-back, in the forward areas, and they could perhaps do with an extra body in midfield, so that they could send Armstrong back to the Championship.
| Position | Played | GD | Points |
| 9. Newcastle | 23 | +3 | 33 |
| 10. Everton | 23 | -1 | 33 |
| 11. Sunderland | 23 | -2 | 33 |
| 12. Brighton | 23 | +2 | 30 |
It does not look like they will get all three of those positions sorted in the winter transfer window, they may not even come away with one player at this point.
It should set alarm bells ringing for the ownership, that Moyes has opened up on having to bring players back early because of a lack of squad depth, and should force their hands in the market.
That may be exactly what Moyes was trying to do, but whether he gets his wish or not, is another matter entirely, and looks increasingly unlikely as the deadline edges closer.
That may define the Merseysiders’ season, and whether they can reach their ambitions of European qualification or not.
Stay up to date this winter with our Everton transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Hill Dickinson, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.