Hayden Hackney vs Idrissa Gueye: How David Moyes' Everton blueprint is about to drastically change
Hayden Hackney looks set to be on his way to Everton from Middlesbrough in the next few days.
The 24-year-old is reportedly set to join the Toffees in a £25million deal from the Championship outfit, with an agreement imminent.
In recent seasons, the defensive-midfielder has established himself as one of the best players outside the top flight and the Blues will certainly be getting a quality player in him.
Idrissa Gueye looks to be on his way out of Hill Dickinson Stadium as a free agent and Hackney could replace the Senegal international in David Moyes' plans.
It will be interesting to see how the Scottish manager fits the Englishman into his plans, as he has a completely different profile from the former Paris Saint-Germain star.
The 63-year-old may be ready to change his conservative approach at the Merseyside outfit and build a team capable of controlling possession effectively.
Hayden Hackney to bring an edge to Everton Idrissa Gueye can't
Gueye has been a loyal servant at the Toffees for several years now and arguably still possesses enough ability to contribute in the Premier League.
The 36-year-old was once again the Blues' midfield enforcer this season, but he lacks the talent to unlock defences consistently, something Hackney can bring to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Looking at Hackney's heatmap on Sofascore from the 2025-26 league campaign, it's clear that he liked to roam around the pitch but often drifted to the right side of midfield, while mostly playing in the double pivot.
The Englishman was tasked with controlling the tempo of the game and, as a deep-lying playmaker, provided seven assists and created eight big chances in the Championship.
Instead of playing on the back foot with Gueye, who's usually tasked with winning the ball and playing safe lateral passes, Moyes can switch to showing more ambition when the Merseyside outfit are in possession if Hackney and James Garner start together, with both capable of passing through the lines.
David Moyes future one to keep eye on at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Moyes is being tipped to take over Scotland after Steve Clarke's resignation after failing to make it to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
Fans in L3 raised concerns about the veteran boss' style of play at Hill Dickinson Stadium towards the end of the season as Everton failed to finish in a European place.
If Moyes can't show supporters that he's capable of making progress with the Merseyside outfit and bringing the best out of their attacking talent, he could leave before the end of his contract in June 2027.