Merlin Röhl leaves a big impression on David Moyes and his staff

Merlin Röhl has made a strong impression on David Moyes and his staff since joining Everton on Deadline Day.

The German midfielder has experienced a turbulent start to his career with the Blues after picking up an injury shortly after making his Everton debut. Röhl returned to the fray in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last week and Moyes is keen on integrating the midfielder more prominently going forward.

“We've been really impressed with what we've seen from Merlin. Certainly, his physicals are something else, they really are, so there's lots about him we like,” said Moyes.

Röhl was wonderful on his Everton debut against Aston Villa and the early signs are promising. He joined the club from SC Freiburg on an initial loan deal, which will be made permanent for £18M if the Toffees maintain their top-flight status.

“We'll keep edging him in and getting him through when we can.

“It would be easier to put him in if we had games in Europe — it's a bit harder when you're having to win a Premier League game and you only get one go at it.

“But we've been hugely impressed by him,” the Everton boss added.

The addition of Röhl brings welcome competition to the Everton midfield, which has been helmed by James Garner and Idrissa Gueye. While Tim Iroegbunam has also featured in games, he has blown hot and cold. Röhl also brings different elements to the Everton midfield, including his physicality, which could benefit the side in different game states, with his versatility also being lauded by his manager.

“He can play so many roles. We would have no problem tucking him in off the sides or maybe even putting him as a full-back or a midfield player.

“He can play higher up or lower down, so he gives us quite a lot of flexibility,” said Moyes.

Reader Comments (25)

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Tony Abrahams 2 Posted 25/10/2025 at 19:58:46

He’s really impressed us, he’s got so much physicality and he’s so versatile but, I’m a very cautious manager by nature, so I just wish we were in Europe, so I could slowly ease him in.

Kevin Molloy 3 Posted 25/10/2025 at 19:59:19

this lad must be shit hot if he's getting these sort of reviews,

Andy Crooks 4 Posted 25/10/2025 at 21:05:19

So brilliantly Moyes. If we were in Europe, he could be eased in; suggesting winning a European trophy would not be a job for his best eleven.

He really is a safety-first dullard; which, fair play to him, has earned him millions and the respect of every dullard in football.

Denver Daniels 5 Posted 25/10/2025 at 21:17:45

Moyes talking out of both sides of his mouth again.

Clearly doesn't trust him to start in the Premier League.

Robert Tressell 6 Posted 25/10/2025 at 22:14:43

Longer term, I see him as a classy double-pivot with Garner in a 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-1-1.

Pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place.

Just need a few more transfer windows...

Ian Bennett 7 Posted 25/10/2025 at 22:36:25

Playing in Europe is likely to be less intense and provide more time on the ball, so nearer the German league than the Premier League.

But hey, if it's a chance to moan about Moyes — bring it on...

Conor McCourt 8 Posted 25/10/2025 at 22:40:37

First Dibling... Now Rohl... Looking forward to tomorrow's game...

Adam Aznou reminds me of a young Leighton Baines. He's struggling a bit with the physicality but I am convinced he is the greatest ever to come out of Morocco. All he needs is a few months or years to bed in and he will be one hell of a player.

I think Moyes is having a laugh at TFG's expense...

Brendan McLaughlin 12 Posted 25/10/2025 at 23:04:03

Spare me... Andy.

I don't want to ever think about you not wearing PJs.

Tony Abrahams 13 Posted 25/10/2025 at 23:05:25

I got a set of those pyjamas, Brendan, but I ordered the ones that said, “Sometimes I just don't understand Moyes”

If a player is good enough, then just let him play, because I honestly don't think there is any better way to learn, especially when he's already impressing everyone inside the club.

My guess is that David will play him tomorrow.

Ian Bennett 14 Posted 25/10/2025 at 23:10:56

Well, here's the point.

He was signed on 1 September, so missed the first 4 games of the season.

He's then missed 4 games or 37 days from injury.

He's played in the 2 Premier League games he's been available, and a couple of minutes vs Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

It would appear to be a manager allowing a kid, new to a new league, to get up to speed after injuries, whilst backing two lads in Garner & Gana to start ahead of him in the two-and-a-bit games he's been available.

Make more of it as you like. But I can't see how he can play more games when he's injured.

There's a further irony that some supporters were digging him out against Villa.

Tony Abrahams 16 Posted 25/10/2025 at 23:30:24

I told him to send the other pair to you Brendan, but I've just remembered I forgot to leave him the money for the postage and packaging, so he's probably thrown them in the bin!

Andy Crooks 18 Posted 25/10/2025 at 23:45:39

Brendan, if it makes you feel better, I favour the onesie and I make no apology for saying I carry it off quite nicely!!

Ian, please forgive those applauding hands. I only just discovered them and, well had to use them.

Alan J Thompson 20 Posted 26/10/2025 at 04:58:04

Sounds like Mr Moyes might be suggesting that he is going to pick him to start but doesn't want to tell us (or Spurs) who will be making way.

He couldn't be calculatingly misleading the opposition, could he? And do leopards change their spots? Or is he just giving prior consideration to any substitutions to be made on the hour mark?

21 Posted 26/10/2025 at 13:37:51

I watched him on TV a few years before his injury and I thought then what a great young player.I have said previously and I will say again that he would outshine the "Dark Sides" German signing ( and before hand) because he has the physicality and ability as the Manager has mentioned to thrive in the Prem.I think we have a potential Michael Ballack type player on our hands.£18m is going to be an absolute steal.

Si Cooper 22 Posted 26/10/2025 at 14:06:18

“having to win a Premier League game and you only get one go at it.”It really is as if the notion of being able to use all options available to him by making full use of those 5 substitutions hasn’t occurred to him.

Joe McMahon 23 Posted 26/10/2025 at 15:29:19

"Merlin Röhl leaves a big impression on David Moyes and his staff"... so much so he still doesn't start.

Moyes's conservatism rules.

James Marshall 25 Posted 26/10/2025 at 15:35:37

Start in place of who, though?

Our side has been pretty decent and pretty settled with the same lineup you see today -- why suddenly drop a player and change it? Managers big-up players all the time -- it's called management / PR.

You don't have to take it quite so literally.