Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 13 May 2026 13:30, UK

Everton have shown progress in the Premier League this season, but they remain without a consistent recognised number nine.

Throughout the campaign, David Moyes has rotated between Thierno Barry and Beto – with the latter admittedly hitting a hot streak with five in five.

Despite netting eight and nine goals respectively, neither of the pair have been able to fully nail down a place in the side, while long-term ambitions are unlikely to hinge on either.

Celebrating Romelu Lukaku’s birthday on 13 May, Toffees fans have unlocked fantastic memories of the Belgian’s time on Merseyside.

And the simple fact is that since his 2017 departure, Everton have still not found the man to lead the line, and this could be the issue that costs them a place in Europe at the end of the current campaign.

Romelu Lukaku was a monster for Everton

Joining the club from Chelsea in 2013, the incredibly raw Lukaku arrived after an impressive season out on loan at West Brom.

And at Everton, he would blossom into one of the Premier League’s best.

With Lukaku, it was not just his goalscoring ability, it was his immense physical attributes that allowed him to run, run and run at defences and cause all sorts of problems.

In his Everton days, Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman would get the best out of him by allocating him a free role to cause havoc, either with the ball at his feet, or with his movement in behind.

He was never, and never has been the easiest on the eye, but he is so effective at leading the line – as showcased during his spell with Inter Milan, as this free role to roam was handed to him again.

In the years since, the Toffees have continued to struggle when it comes to finding a striker, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Cenk Tosun and the current pair of Barry and Beto failing to find a consistent rhythm.

With the Blues looking to continue progressing, a striker would take them a long way towards doing exactly that.

Everton cannot continue with striker issues

As mentioned, Lukaku was a menace in multiple facets.

Now, Moyes possesses creativity in Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and even Jack Grealish before his untimely injury, but remains without the presence up top to occupy defenders – often resulting in a one-man show for Ndiaye.

However, this has been the case since Lukaku’s departure.

The Blues came close with Richarlison, though even he does not fit the role of a traditional number nine.

In the years since the Belgian left the club, Everton have failed to qualify for Europe – this cannot just be deemed as a coincidence.

For all the creativity in Everton’s ranks, this simply won’t work consistently without a presence up top.

And the simple fact is that it cannot be considered acceptable to have failed to adequately replace Lukaku, with a decade since his departure approaching.

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