Credit: Breaking Media/Manh Tung

James Barker

Mon 13 April 2026 7:10, UK

TFG are going to have to put their money where their mouth is in the transfer window this summer, as Everton‘s bench against Brentford proved how much this squad still needs.

It was another positive weekend in Everton’s season at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, as David Moyes‘ side showed character to come from behind twice to salvage a point.

Everton remain firmly in the race for European football next season as a result, and keep their positive momentum ahead of a massive Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool.

The Toffees are having an excellent campaign, and are clearly a football club that are moving firmly in the right direction under the ownership of The Friedkin Group (TFG).

So, with just six games to play, plans will already be well under way for what Everton’s summer transfer window will look like.

Everton’s bench vs Brentford had limited options for David Moyes

Everton are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer, with their healthy financial position, as evidenced in their recent accounts published for the 2024-25 season, setting up a big summer of spending ahead.

There’s an obvious feel-good factor around the football club at the moment, and that should be built upon regardless of whether Moyes’ side win a European place for 2026-27 or not.

However, certainly if Everton are playing on the continent next season, and even if they’re not, this squad needs fleshing out significantly, as the Toffees’ bench against Brentford made abundantly clear.

Tim Iroegbunam, Thierno Barry and Tyrique George were the only subs used by Moyes against the Bees, all of whom came on in the 74th minute of the game.

Outside of those three, the remaining unused options consisted of: Mark Travers, Michael Keane, Nathan Patterson, Merlin Rohl, Seamus Coleman and Tyler Dibling respectively.

That’s not the sort of quality that Everton can afford to take into next season, and they will be in need of much more strength in depth than that if they are to manage European and Premier League duties effectively.

Everton bench lacks proven and experienced impact-makers

The common theme throughout the majority of that Brentford bench is inexperience, with defenders Keane and Coleman the two most senior figures.

In terms of attacking players that Moyes can turn to when trying to change a game, his options are extremely limited, with pretty much all of them being dart throws.

George was the one who did come on and really make a difference against Brentford, and probably should now start against Liverpool in place of Dwight McNeil.

However, he’s still raw too, and so Everton really should make the signings of proven and experienced players a priority this summer, as Moyes has to be given stronger cards to play from the bench next term.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.