Everton’s squad grades for the season so far | OneFootball

Normally, the first international break of the season comes just two or three games into a campaign. And it hardly feels like the season has got started by the time there’s been a break.

However, this time is a bit different.

With five Premier League games gone, and then two League Cup matches, too, then there’s a decent sample size for us to assess how things are going so far.

So, here’s some very early squad grades, listed from A* (the highest) to D, the lowest.

JORDAN PICKFORD — B

Everton have kept five clean sheets, and Pickford has been in net for all of them. He has also made some excellent saves, so it’s been a solid start to the season for the 32-year-old. However, his kicking has been rather erratic, and he made a bit of an error for Manchester United’s second goal at the start of September, so that stops him from getting an A.

MARK TRAVERS AND TOM KING — N/A

Neither of them have played, so we can’t grade them.

AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES — B

Maitland-Niles enjoyed a fantastic debut, with his last-gasp stunner against Man Utd, and he has built on that bow with a steady, solid string of performances. He’s not perfect defensively, but he is a right-back, playing at right-back.

MERLIN RÖHL — C

Given his appearances have mostly come at right-back, barring the final 30 minutes against Preston North End, when he played in the middle after James Garner went off, we’ll count Röhl among the defenders. He has plenty of endeavour and is definitely a threat from right-back, but defensively he needs to learn the position. Some promising signs, but work to do.

JAMES TARKOWSKI — B

According to Opta, Tarkowski is the only player in the Premier League so far this term to make 10+ tackles, win 10+ duels, win 10+ aerials, make 10+ interceptions, and win possession in the defensive third 10+ times. After a poor end to last season, Tarkowski has proved it is right to keep him in the team for now, as he provides that bit of experience, leadership and grit.

JARRAD BRANTHWAITE — A

It’s so good to have him back. Just keep him fit! Branthwaite transforms Everton’s defence — in fact, he transforms the whole team. He had a bit of a wobble against Ipswich Town, but has otherwise been pretty faultless.

MICHAEL KEANE — B

He’s played the full games in both of the EFL Cup fixtures, and done just fine, albeit against second-tier opponents.

JAKE O’BRIEN — B

Didn’t feature until he came on late against Tottenham a couple of games ago — at right-back, typically. But he got to play in his preferred centre-back role against Wolves, and performed well. It does seem he and David Moyes have managed to iron out whatever issue was between them.

VITALII MYKOLENKO — B

He comes in for plenty of criticism, and he still isn’t good enough to be starting every single week for a team that aspires to be competing to qualify for Europe, but Mykolenko has had a solid start and deserves a decent grade.

CHRISTIAN NØRGAARD — N/A

Hasn’t yet featured due to injury. Due back after the international break.

JAMES GARNER — C

It’s been a tough start to the campaign for the 2025-26 Player of the Season. Missing pre-season was a blow, and Garner has had to work his way back to fitness and sharpness while playing competitive matches. On the whole, not bad, but he’s clearly short of where he needs to be.

HAYDEN HACKNEY — B

A little bit of a niggle hasn’t helped Hackney, but when he has played, he’s not let that injury hamper him. On the ball, Hackney brings something different to any of Everton’s other midfielders — he carries it so well and he’s always wanting to get onto the front foot. He can press a bit erratically, leaving spaces to exploit, but it’s been a really promising start.

HARRISON ARMSTRONG — B

One of the biggest compliments you can pay to Armstrong is that he looks and plays like an experienced pro. He’s just 19. It’s why I, for one, was so surprised when he chose to shoot wildly in the closing stages against Ipswich, rather than lay it off for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was in a much better position. Usually, Armstrong gets those moments just right. But he’s a superb talent, and Everton will have to look to tie him down to a new deal.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL — C

Dewsbury-Hall’s moment of magic against Crystal Palace on the opening day helped get things going, while he was excellent against Preston. However, it’s been tough going since then for the former Chelsea midfielder, who is definitely short of his best form. There shouldn’t be any real concerns, though — form is temporary but class is permanent, after all — but the sooner he gets back to his best, the better Everton will be.

CARLOS ALCARAZ — B

He needs to play more. Moyes needs to have more trust in him. Everton have a small squad and Moyes can’t rigidly stick to pushing Dewsbury-Hall to the an empty tank each game. Alcaraz proved with his fine goal against Wolves that he has something to offer. Use him.

BRENNAN JOHNSON — C

Johnson got off to a flying start with a goal and an assist in a cameo against Preston, but his goalscoring touch in the Premier League has not yet returned. He has missed some big chances, and then hasn’t really managed to make much of an impact in his all-round play. Feels like he will be better served as an impact player from the bench, for the time being, especially if he is to be relied upon as an alternative up front.

TYLER DIBLING — B

The last week or so has been huge for Dibling, who has proved to everyone that he can (and must) be an option for Moyes this season. He suddenly seems to be playing with some freedom and confidence, rather than within himself. More of the same after the break, please, Tyler.

TYRIQUE GEORGE — B

Has featured in every game and really, if he’s fully fit, he should be one of Everton’s two starting wingers. Scored a sublime goal against Man Utd and is always a threat for defenders, no matter whether he’s playing on the left flank or the right.

JACK GREALISH — C

Grealish came in so late in the window, and was already playing catch-up due to missing a large chunk of pre-season, so it’s no surprise to see that he isn’t fully sharp. He has nevertheless made an impact; he helped swing the game in Everton’s favour v Man Utd and then created a whopping 5 chances against Ipswich. But he definitely needs to use this break to get closer to full fitness.

THIERNO BARRY — B

Started off with 4 goals in 2 games but has then netted just once in his next 5 appearances. However, Barry should have had more goals, and those big misses (against Bournemouth, Man Utd and Ipswich) ultimately do have to count against him. His all-round play and effort has improved, though, and he is getting in the positions to sniff out those opportunities. Now, he needs to start putting more away. It’s vital he stays fit, too, as Everton look to navigate their way through the first half of the season with just one striker.