Moyes bemoans Everton’s thin squad but says situation promises opportunities for overlooked stars | OneFootball

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David Moyes has said Everton's threadbare squad will hand opportunities 'to some people who have not had them' this season.

Everton's nightmare end to the transfer window has left the Toffees' squad stretched this season, as Beto, Adam Aznou, Nathan Patterson, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam all departed in the final days of the window.

Everton brought back Jack Grealish on loan and signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon, but a failed move for Folarin Balogun compounded a disastrous end to the club's summer business.

As a result, Blues have submitted only 19 senior players on their 25-man squad list for the Premier League campaign. A further three first-team options, Harrison Armstrong, Tyrique George, and Tyler Dibling, are part of the U21 list.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Manchester United, Moyes conceded he has been left short of options. He said his squad will need to 'muck in' to cope with the schedule and suggested those on the fringes could be handed more minutes.

Moyes says Everton exits open door for fringe players ahead of Manchester United clash

"I know what I needed and I know what it’s like to build a squad for the Premier League," he said.

"I know the numbers you need. I’ve been around long enough to know that, but some things went against us and some things could have gone better. Ultimately, we didn’t want to lose a lot of the players, but for different reasons that had to happen.

"They’re all going to have to be able to muck in as we’ve got a real small squad now. It gives opportunities to some people who have not had them and sometimes in football you need to be given that chance so that you can show what you can do.

"Let’s see if some of them can do that. I have no concerns. I am sure they will be fully at-it."