Max Wilkins

Mon 16 March 2026 11:40, UK

Everton were forced to part ways with Orel Mangala over a year ago due to injury.

The Belgium international completed a loan move to Merseyside from Lyon in the summer of 2024.

Sean Dyche’s side were far from easy on the eye at the time, but the 27-year-old still caught the eye with his performances.

That made it all the more frustrating when his season was cut short after he suffered a cruciate ligament knee injury against Brighton in January 2025.

It has been a long road to recovery for Mangala after he departed from Everton, but he has finally made his first start since returning to Lyon.

Orel Mangala starts for Lyon vs La Havre

The midfielder’s injury required specialist intervention and ultimately meant he couldn’t feature for 308 days.

From 26 January 2025 to 29 November 2025, the Belgian was missing and watched on from the sidelines as he continued his recovery.

That was further set back when Mangala picked up a hamstring problem in December, which ruled him out until December.

All that frustration was put to the side when the midfielder came in from the start in Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash with La Havre.

Lyon may have played out a goalless draw, but a 72-minute showing from the ex-Everton man was certainly a positive element of the performance.

He chipped in with three defensive actions and four duel victories in the middle of the park, all while he completed three successful dribbles.

Obviously, this is only the start for the 27-year-old, but with how Everton lost Mangala to injury, they may now regret not bringing him back.

Everton could return for Mangala after comeback

The Blues may need midfield reinforcements in the summer if Idrissa Gueye doesn’t trigger a one-year extension in his contract.

Harrison Armstrong is a useful asset, but doesn’t provide the same abilities as a defensive-minded midfielder who can also get forward effectively.

Mangala could represent an ideal option for Moyes, especially with his prior knowledge of the Merseyside outfit from his previous spell.

The rest of the campaign can give him a perfect chance to build his fitness up and prove that he can avoid injury moving forward.

Everton may well regret not signing him permanently, but may not turn down the opportunity if it arises in the summer.