Journalist: Everton set for busy January transfer window | OneFootball

Everton face defining January window after year of progress under Moyes

Everton approach the January window in a markedly different position to this time last year. Twelve months ago, uncertainty loomed large, with the club hovering just above the relegation zone and facing yet another fight for Premier League survival. A decisive change in the dugout altered that trajectory, restoring stability and belief both on and off the pitch.

The return of David Moyes has proved pivotal. Familiar with the club’s culture and expectations, he was entrusted with steering Everton away from danger and re-establishing a platform for growth. That brief has been delivered, and then some. With safety secured and a sense of direction regained, attention now turns to recruitment and how Everton navigate a January window that could shape the remainder of the season.

Stability restored after turbulent period

Everton’s last year has been defined by consolidation. The Friedkin Group’s ownership has brought a calmer backdrop, allowing football matters to take precedence over off-field noise. Moyes has instilled clear standards, demanding consistency and professionalism even when injuries and suspensions have tested the depth of the squad.

Results have reflected that renewed order. Everton are no longer reliant on short bursts of form to survive; instead, they have built a dependable base, particularly defensively. While performances have not always sparkled, they have been competitive, organised and resilient, hallmarks of Moyes’ previous work on Merseyside.

Crucially, the squad has begun to look more balanced. Several recent additions have contributed positively, while others have shown enough promise to suggest further development is likely. The challenge now is ensuring that momentum is not lost as the season enters its decisive phase.

January window priorities emerge

Despite public caution from senior figures at the club, there is a growing acceptance that Everton will need to be active in the January window. The squad’s strongest starting XI is capable of competing with most sides on its day, but recent matches have underlined how quickly that level can drop when key players are unavailable.

Injuries, suspensions and international commitments are not hypothetical risks; they are certainties across the next four months. Everton have already felt the impact of missing creativity and attacking threat in recent fixtures, with an over-reliance on defensive solidity exposed when goals are required.

As a result, recruitment priorities are becoming clearer. A striker remains high on the list, not only to provide goals but also to offer a different profile in attack. Additional depth at full-back is also under consideration, with the physical demands of Moyes’ system placing heavy strain on wide defenders. A further midfield option, capable of contributing both immediately and longer term, is another area under review.

Balancing short-term needs with long-term planning

The difficulty for Everton lies not in identifying needs, but in executing deals that align with both financial reality and long-term strategy. January is notoriously complex, with inflated prices and limited availability. Everton cannot afford short-term fixes that undermine future planning, yet nor can they risk a passive approach that leaves the squad exposed.

Recruitment is therefore expected to focus on players who can make an immediate impact while retaining value beyond this season. Loans, structured deals and carefully targeted purchases are all being explored, with the recruitment team tasked with maximising flexibility within existing constraints.

Moyes’ influence is significant here. He has been clear about wanting the right tools to maintain standards through the second half of the campaign. The work done over the past year has laid a foundation, but allowing that progress to stall through inaction would represent a missed opportunity.

Momentum must be protected in second half of season

Everton’s position is stronger than it has been for some time, but it remains fragile. The margins in the Premier League are unforgiving, and a small downturn in form can quickly undo months of progress. January therefore carries heightened importance, not as a dramatic overhaul, but as a period of reinforcement.

With a settled manager, improved structure and a clearer football identity, Everton are better placed to approach the market than in recent years. The task now is to act decisively, protect momentum and ensure that the second half of the season reflects the ambition shown over the last 12 months.

If that balance is struck, the January window could prove less about survival and more about quietly pushing Everton forward again.