Everton’s squad stretched thin for the upcoming games | OneFootball

Everton’s already threadbare squad has been stretched thinner heading into the final stretch of games of the year.

Following the 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Toffees have several concerns with multiple key players missing in midfield and defence. Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Röhl have missed most of the season, with the German midfielder closer to a return than Branthwaite.

Captain Seamus Coleman has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to be on the shelf for a while.

Key players Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye have also departed to join the Senegal national team camp for the Africa Cup of Nations. The Lions of Teranga will begin their campaign against Botswana on December 23. One of the favourites for the tournament, should Senegal make it to the final scheduled in Rabat on January 18, the duo will miss as many as seven games for the Blues.

Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall suffered a hamstring problem on his return to Stamford Bridge and it remains to be seen how serious his injury is. The 27-year-old had been instrumental in the Blues’ recent positive run and his absence was felt in west London with Chelsea scoring a few minutes after he came off.

James Garner and Jack Grealish are also walking on eggshells at the moment. Both of them were taken off late in the game against Enzo Maresca’s side due to precaution. Garner is one yellow card away from suspension, while Grealish “felt something in his hamstring”, according to David Moyes.

Iliman Ndiaye’s absence could lead to Dwight McNeil or Tyler Dibling entering the gaffer’s plans. McNeil has played 91 minutes, while Dibling, the Toffees’ most expensive summer signing, has played 82 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.

Dibling, in particular, looked impressive in his little cameo towards the end at Stamford Bridge and given his potential, should start receiving more game-time going forward.

Charly Alcaraz and McNeil remain the favourites to play in the number 10 role, depending on the severity of Dewsbury-Hall’s injury and the length of his absence. Meanwhile, Tim Iroegbunam is the only option at Moyes’ disposal to partner James Garner in the middle.

The defence, for the moment, picks itself. James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Jake O’Brien and Vitalii Mykolenko have played the majority of the season together and although the manager also has options in Nathan Patterson and Adam Aznou, neither of them has played a single minute of Premier League football so far this season.

David Moyes’ hands are pretty tied, with the Toffees squad reduced to 13 available players (reserve goalkeepers, Aznou and Patterson notwithstanding) at the moment. Any further injuries or suspensions could lead to sleepless nights for the fans as the Blues prepare to host league leaders Arsenal this weekend.

Reader Comments (35)

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Ian Bennett 3 Posted 15/12/2025 at 17:14:34

I was all for Harrison Armstrong going out on loan, but given the injuries and upcoming games, he needs recalling.

These are winnable games, but we need players available to compete.

Burnley Forest WolvesBrentford Sunderland (FA Cup)Leeds

Jack Convery 4 Posted 15/12/2025 at 17:58:19

I'd leave Grealish out of the Arsenal game. If his hammy goes, so do we. Keep him for Burnley and Forest.

Use McNeil and Dibling as the wide men. Alcaraz as the No 10.

Anjishnu Roy 5 Posted 15/12/2025 at 18:38:23

I think that's going to be the likely plan for Arsenal, Jack.

If Grealish is not at 100%, doubt he's going to get risked with so many players missing.

Jay Harris 6 Posted 15/12/2025 at 18:42:14

The players to create chances this season have been Grealish, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall.

The players to look like scoring this season have been Grealish, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall.

We cannot afford to be without them for too long so maybe backs to the wall for Arsenal and then hopefully Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall back after that.

Hopefully Rohl can be ready and it is not too long before Jarrad Branthwaite is back.

It would be helpful if the recruitment team can be ready to pull the trigger early January for a decent striker and at least one full-back.

Brian Harrison 7 Posted 15/12/2025 at 18:58:41

Ian 3

I like you thought it was good idea for Harrison Armstrong to go out on loan and get game time which he wasnt likely to get competing with Dewsbury-Hall, Garner, Alcaraz, Iroegbunam and McNeil. But seeing as Gana is at the Afcon, Dewsbury-Hall might be out for most of January, then it would really put us under pressure if any of the other midfield players get injured.

We will certainly be down to the bare bones against Arsenal and, if Grealish has also picked up a hamstring injury, we will need all the bodies we can. I hope Dibling now gets a run of games and, maybe when Ndaiye comes back, we might be able to move him into the Number 10 role if Dibling does well.

Ian Wilkins 8 Posted 15/12/2025 at 21:04:50

Add Garner one booking off a suspension and we are very very lightweight. Unless we have players lined up, be it loan or acquisition, then Armstrong probably has to return.

Players with few minutes, O'Neill, Dibling, are suddenly going to have to do 90 because there's no bench.

Derek Knox 11 Posted 15/12/2025 at 22:44:43

Michael, well there's Danny ! Alice will not be available. :-)

Paul Griffiths 12 Posted 15/12/2025 at 23:18:47

Paul Griffiths 13 Posted 15/12/2025 at 23:19:31

PH (11), what would your team be mate?

Kieran Kinsella 14 Posted 15/12/2025 at 23:24:13

Michael

THANK YOU!!! I’ve been reading about this “O’Neill” on ToffeeWeb for ages but been too polite to call it out lol

Jay Harris 15 Posted 15/12/2025 at 23:40:41

And there was me thinking we had a love child from Obrien and McNeill that we had promoted from the academy.

Ian Wilkins 16 Posted 15/12/2025 at 23:44:52

That was my thinking too Jay.

Let’s hope we don’t sign McTominay…..

Darren Hind 17 Posted 16/12/2025 at 05:31:42

Oh Look !

Kinsella (14) bringing "Teach" yet ANOTHER apple !

The new owners of this website need to make their minds up whether they want a serious website where people come on to talk about football, Or a virtual bag wash where people can spread gossip and correct other peoples spelling mistakes whilst totally ignoring their own.

Paul Griffiths 19 Posted 16/12/2025 at 07:13:28

Agree PH, our squad is almost as thin as you. We have to buy well in January mate and keep fingers crossed for our injured. By the way, I heard a rumour doing the rounds over here that Elon Musk is interested in buying Saints. Apparently, Alex Murphy is his sporting here. Who'd have thought, eh.

Paul Hewitt 20 Posted 16/12/2025 at 07:21:18

Hope not PG. Can't stand the fella.

Brian Harrison 21 Posted 16/12/2025 at 09:03:21

I would imagine that the next few weeks will be the most challenging for Moyes since his return. Both Ndaiye and Gana could miss 7 games if they get to the final.

Now he has Dewsbury-Hall with a hamstring injury and possibly Grealish has a hamstring problem, so that's 4 first team regulars missing in the busiest time of the season.

Also James Garner is 1 booking away from a 1-game suspension.

Paul Hewitt 22 Posted 16/12/2025 at 09:18:01

I'd have been happy to leave Armstrong at Preston to continue his football development.

But it looks like we might have to recall him.

Dave Abrahams 23 Posted 16/12/2025 at 09:24:07

Brian (21) Yes it is a very depleted squad and will get weaker until we are reinforced in January, on Saturday we play Arsenal who are suffering from their loss of injuries and Wolves,without a win all season,made them struggle to get a win in their last game at home, maybe we can can go one better and get at least a point!

Brian Harrison 24 Posted 16/12/2025 at 10:38:36

Dave 23

I really hope we have a striker lined up to sign as soon as the window opens. Both Barry and Beto are just not good enough and if we want to move up the table then a decent striker is a must.

I know January isn't the best time to sign players but, given our striking options, we don't have a choice.

Ian Wilkins 25 Posted 16/12/2025 at 10:48:06

January isn't the easiest time to bring in players. Teams don't want to lose good players mid-season.

Some of the strongest teams have very deep squads. Some players are desperate for playing time in a World Cup year. Some teams need to offload financially.

The business we do, or don't do in January (including loans) may well be the difference between finishing in a European place and finishing 13th or 14th.

I sincerely hope we can add a couple of players in January.

Minik Hansen 27 Posted 16/12/2025 at 11:46:46

Well, last season, we won a couple of games without Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall, but we had Ndiaye and Gana.

Nevermind, the only point is football is football and the ball is round. We the fans are there regardless, and with never-ending hope.

Ajay #1 Mind you, add Röhl to the subs.

Edward Rogers 29 Posted 16/12/2025 at 11:57:43

Tough games ahead, regardless of the opposition.

I just hope Wolves get a win before we play them. You know how generous we can be!

Ian Bennett 30 Posted 16/12/2025 at 12:16:39

Thought the same john. But the ball retention will be horrific.

Raymond Fox 31 Posted 16/12/2025 at 12:30:55

We will have the B team in a few positions for the Arsenal game. Any more injuries and we are really in the do da, we are well in it already.

Nice to see your still here, Darren.

Paul @ 18, Murphy was just about the best British player ever. I used to watch him as a kid when Saints played Wigan. Him and Mick Sullivan were certain to get sent off every derby fixture. We had Boston but Murphy was the ultimate player you wanted on your side in a battle.

The squad isn't stretched as far as we know we will only have 3 of the first XI definitely missing and we have 2 doubtful. So far, we have been one of the luckiest team with injuries this season, so we can't really cry when they do happen.

Grealish only played 25-odd games most seasons in the Premier League, Rohl likewise, and Dewsbury-Hall hasn't been conditioned to play every minute of a Premier League season and he's 27.

Moyes's ridiculous decision to send Harrison Armstrong to Preston is now backfiring and the manager has no excuses as he will now need to rely on the likes of McNeil and Dibling who have been dreadfully mismanaged and underused this season.

I seem in the minority in that I was furious with the match at Chelsea and some of the posts post-match. For me, we had a brilliant 15 minutes before half-time and we're unlucky to go in 2-0 down. Second half we were woeful and it could have been embarrassing yet Moyes never reacted. It was like he was happy to keep the score down.

When he eventually made changes, the subs nearly embarrassed him as, for the last 10 minutes, we caused them all sorts of problems and we could have unbelievably nicked a draw. Yet Moyes made the changes to save his players.

Moyes once again picked Keane and, just as at Newcastle and Liverpool, they exposed his side and Gana was once again woeful. Such a difference when O'Brien played there and Garner at right-back.

Mykolenko took a lot of stick but, for the first Chelsea goal, Ndiaye pointed to watch Neto and both Gueye and Palmer blocked his view of the ball so he couldn't see the pass and why he reacted so late. Keane could see everything yet his positioning and flat-footedness proved fatal.

Mykolenko was poor for the second Chelsea goal but him getting skinned like that was a rarity and once again Keane and Gueye could have bailed him out but both were poor.

Some of the highest goal and assist wingers, like Semenyo, Wilson, Salah, Mbuemo and Kudus, all got very little change from the Ukrainiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan unlike the other full backs they faced. Indeed Saka is probably due a performance against Myko as he has only ever scored one goal when he has been on the pitch.

The cries that Dewsbury-Hall would have made a difference are fanciful as, against the other Champions League teams we faced, we lost all four by an aggregate of 11-1. He was poor in all of them.

As for the criticism of Barry, he was one of nine players who were poor yet once again gets singled out. Twice he got into good positions. The first, he was unlucky that the keeper took it away from him, and the second, Tarkowski unbelievably chose to go for goal from that angle when Barry would have had a tap-in.

The lack of service was once again criminal and I'd love to know the striker people want who would score goals in Moyes's set-up.

Paul Murray 35 Posted 16/12/2025 at 15:18:43

Bringing Harrison back early will not help him or us really. He’s playing really well in a much poorer league and learning fast. Going out on loan for a season do him and us really well for the future Leon osman and Seamus Coleman came back after a season in that league twice the players they were. The lad is playing with freedom and a smile on his face great decision by the gaffer to send him there. As for the squad being thin of course it’s a massive challenge but one that happens to every team every season. Gueye out brilliant news he’s too old clumsy now but been a great servant. Illie irreplaceable but hopefully Tyler gets a run and McNeil bit the worst wide player around. Go defensive against arsenal I’d play three at the back for this one and why have a go at Keane Connor he’s been one of our best players this season and far better in defence than tarks who is another who needs to be moved on. Regarding strikers they are like gold dust but two goals between them two heading into Christmas halfway period of season it’s disgraceful there are strikers out there who can do better but long term probably not the answer dyvbk and Ferguson at Roma definitely better than our two but finding a good one ready for the prem is hard