The Tyrique George Situation: Short-sighted or sensible?

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

In a lot of ways, Tyrique George ticks a lot of boxes for Everton.

Everton are in desperate need of pace, and he brings that.

The Toffees are also in need of a versatile winger, and he is one of those.

And, at least on the evidence we have so far, Everton still seem to want to spend mainly on younger players: George turned 20 in February.

He settled in well during his loan stint last season, and generally impressed when he was utilised from the bench. However, George only played just over 200 minutes, and David Moyes really should be scrutinised for that.

However, come the end of the season there still seemed to be an air of confidence within the fanbase, and even the club, that George would be an Everton player next season. The club hold an option, which runs until the end of June. That option is reported to be worth around £25M.

Yet this week, The Athletic’s Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland reported Everton are likely to decide against activating that clause. Instead, they may attempt to negotiate a lower fee.

Surely, Everton have not spent a month pondering this? Surely, they have already been in talks with Chelsea, if that is the call they have made?

But that aside, is this a call Everton should be making?

There’s two sides to it, as there ever is. And you can make a case for both arguments.

First off, the case for activating the clause.

George is a highly rated, talented, English youngster. He has come through one of the country’s toughest and most elite academies, and has experience in the Premier League and Europe.

He is better off the left, but can play down the right and even up front, albeit, he should never be used as a striker in a Moyes set-up — it would be a complete waste of his talents.

George showed in his cameos what he is good at. He can get past players through speed and fast feet; he is not afraid to shoot and he wants to get to the byline and loft in crosses. Again, these are traits that are badly lacking among Everton’s other wing options.

There’s also the fact that, even if George should not probably be worth £25M, the market at the moment dictates that is probably about the going rate, and has the club shown evidence they would be able to go out and get better than him for less?

Is it not a gamble worth taking, even if there is a slight overpay, to get a player in through the door; one who knows the club, the league and would need no time to settle?

The flip side, of course, is that every penny needs to count this summer, especially after the hits and misses (mainly misses) of last year.

Everton spent much of the summer chasing Tyler Dibling, at the manager’s request, and ultimately got him — but even if they feel they negotiated the best possible deal, it’s fair to say £35M was still an overpay.

Then, throw in that Dibling hardly featured, due not only to Moyes’ stubbornness but, it seems to this writer, a complete mis-profiling of what type of winger he is.

Everton simply can’t afford to get another deal like that wrong — £25M is still a fair chunk of change, and any player who costs that much must not only be ready to make an instant impact, but they must be a player the manager is willing to use from the off week in, week out.

Even if that means they do not start every game, they must be a player Moyes will be willing to turn to for more than just a cameo.

That is, of course, down to Moyes too, but there’s also a case to remove the excuses. That does not mean signing a 28-year-old, but it does mean investing in significant quality. George has potential, but he is not there yet.

Now, not buying a player just because you’re not convinced a manager who — barring a huge turnaround in his approach and/or results — should not be here beyond the end of next season, is simply not a good approach.

However, Everton were burned last year by trying to run before they can walk and trying too hard to plan for tomorrow, instead of applying a more balanced approach.

Yes, I’m sitting on the fence. I’d like Everton to sign George, but can understand why the club are not willing to take up the option and instead want to renegotiate. Unfortunately, it may end up being an opportunity missed.

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George is not what Everton need, he's too weak.

Everton need proven quality players, like Jarrod Bowen. He gets goals and assists, plays on the right, just what we need.

Look at Villa: hardly a player under 25... they know how to buy. And they have a top manager in Emery. Come on, Moyes, get your act together. Please say No to George.

Tony Abrahams 4 Posted 25/06/2026 at 20:47:59

I think having experience is vital, Mark, but have we got a manager who has got the ability to manage a squad of experienced players?

I don't mean 14 or 15, and then a few players filling in for injuries, only to be discarded when the player they have deputised for is fit. I mean a proper squad of experienced players, who the manager has no problems with playing.

If he had a squad of experienced players, then why would he not play them all? Because I'm not sure this is how he has ever managed before, and I'm not sure he has got the personality to deal with experienced players knocking on his door because they are not getting a game either.

I would go as far as to say having a small squad has always suited Moyes for the reasons I have stated above and believe this is probably one of the main reasons why he hasn't had any real success trophy-wise in his overall managerial career.

Christy Ring 5 Posted 25/06/2026 at 21:24:40

In all fairness, Tony, when we were so poor in our last seven games, and our younger players on the bench.

Armstrong, George, Alcaraz, and even Dibling and Patterson were left sitting there, considering we were playing absolute rubbish, what part of experience worked?

Tony Abrahams 6 Posted 25/06/2026 at 21:38:17

The bit where the manager can possibly get away with treating younger players differently, maybe, Christy?

Just watching his facial expression when he his getting told things off the manager, just before he his introduced into the game for the last 10 minutes gives me a feeling that Alcaraz has probably fallen out with him. Dibling is probably a different personality and just looks like he's been completely drained of his enthusiasm.

Just guesswork, it doesn't mean I'm right, but I don't think it would be as easy for the manager if it was players like Ndiaye, Grealish or Dewsbury-Hall who were knocking on his door because they were not being given enough opportunities.

The manager, was continually playing others, every single week, but the argument for some is that, if David had a squad full of good players, then he wouldn't have a problem?

I look at Alcaraz and I see a player who needs to be told he's in the manager's plans and be given more game time. I think Dewsbury-Hall probably went through something similar at Chelsea, except for the fact that Chelsea had a much bigger squad with a few more quality players.

Mark Steers 7 Posted 25/06/2026 at 22:04:14

George, Armstrong, Alcaraz.... When they came on to help the team in the last 7 games, they did nothing at all.

Moyes had flogged his main players to pulp and sadly they ran out of juice.

Paul Griffiths 8 Posted 25/06/2026 at 22:27:38

Exactly the same thread as yesterday.

Completely unnecessary. The same same questions were answered yesterday.

Neil Tyrrell 9 Posted 25/06/2026 at 23:12:32

We should absolutely buy him but he probably doesn't defend well enough for Moyes the tartan dinosaur.

Phillip Warrington 10 Posted 25/06/2026 at 23:44:19

This is Everton FC -- dinosaur of the Premier League, we have got so financially behind every club in the Premier League. We scrap for over-rated and over-priced lower-end talent and even then can only afford 2 or 3. But I suppose the only benefit is: we are still in the Premier League.

I don't know if anybody could work this out: If we were relegated and came straight back up through the play-off finals rather than winning it outright, would it benefit us financially?

Sean Herbert 11 Posted 26/06/2026 at 06:19:07

Mark @ 2, what an absolute load of rubbish!

Let's fill the team with lots of geriatrics, eh? No sell-on value and only a couple of good years left in them.

Villa are now struggling to raise cash for transfers due to the need to meet the new regulations. The only player they have who would go for a considerable sum is Rogers. At least looking at the income they would require.

The result of relying on an ageing squad.

Mike Allison 12 Posted 26/06/2026 at 07:31:27

Signing George and playing him, as well as playing Dibling and other young, quality players like Patterson, Alcaraz and Röhl is how we will improve (along with playing players in their correct positions).

If we miss out on a talented player like this because of Moyes, then Moyes is worse than a millstone, he’s becoming a prison cell.

Tony Abrahams 13 Posted 26/06/2026 at 07:56:02

How much time did those three players get between them during those last seven games Mark?

Ian Bennett 14 Posted 26/06/2026 at 09:45:42

"Quality players like Patterson."

Sorry, he just isn't quality, nor is Alcaraz for that matter.

Sean Herbert 15 Posted 26/06/2026 at 10:53:06

In your opinion Ian @ 14. Not that I totally disagree mind you.

I do believe Alcaraz could be a hood player for us though. Just not with Moyes as manager

Tony Abrahams 16 Posted 26/06/2026 at 11:31:54

Young players don’t improve by constantly moving around or sitting on the bench, which has been the case with Alkaraz, for a few years now. The kid has got loads of ability, but until he gets a knowledgeable coach, who is prepared to give him time, then I don’t think he will ever really improve.

I hope he does because I like him. I think he’s got a little bit of most things that I look for in a midfield player, and I’ve no doubt that he could be more effective than KDH, if he finds someone with the patience to help nurture his game.

If you don’t play, you don’t improve, and if you are only really allowed to play in fits and starts, then this will also affect a footballer with regards his development.

KDH, was one of our standout players last season, and if he would have been given more opportunities at Chelsea, it’s quite possible he would have become a Chelsea regular. Just because he wasn’t given those opportunities, doesn’t mean he his not a very good player.

Dan Brierley 17 Posted 26/06/2026 at 11:54:34

Seeing as Moyes is again being highlighted as the person holding back the team as he doesn't play youth, let's have a look at it with some facts. Under Moyes, we've seen Rooney, Barkley, Rodwell, Anichebe, Vaughan, Baxter, Osman and Duffy come through. The first three were regular starters at the ages 16/17. So this doesn't match the narrative that Moyes doesn't play youth. He's done it, and they went on to be top top players. Some of the others did not get as much game time, and it seems to have been justified as they achieved very little.

So which other youth players that Moyes didn't give a chance to over the last 12.5 years, prove him wrong by showing their worth elsewhere at another club or manager? Would be good to hear of some of examples.

John Collins 18 Posted 26/06/2026 at 12:44:32

"Look at it with some facts. Under Moyes, we've seen Rooney, Barkley, Rodwell, Anichebe, Vaughan, Baxter, Osman and Duffy come through. The first three were regular starters at the ages 16/17."

No they weren't

Andrew Ellams 19 Posted 26/06/2026 at 12:53:52

Barkley barely played any football at 16/17 because he had a horrible leg break injury.

He certainly wasn't a first-team player.

John Collins 20 Posted 26/06/2026 at 12:58:47

Dan:

"He's done it, and they went on to be top top players."

Which ones from your list, Rooney excepted, went on to be top, top players?

Ian Bennett 21 Posted 26/06/2026 at 13:03:11

Rice.

Can hardly blame Rodwell demise on Moyes.

Dan Brierley 22 Posted 26/06/2026 at 13:23:33

Rodwell, Rooney and Barkley have all won top level honours, and all three were brought through as youth players by Moyes. Barkley had just got into the team after having a great pre season, and was clearly in Moyes plans before his double leg break.

But my question remains, which young player that was around under Moyes, went on to be a top player, and proved Moyes wrong not to play him? I've give three examples of young players he did give chances to, which again suggests that the 'Moyes doesn't give youth a chance' doesn't stack up.

John Collins 23 Posted 26/06/2026 at 13:42:02

So does mine Dan

Raymond Fox 24 Posted 26/06/2026 at 14:00:06

Playing young inexperienced lads in the first team is a gamble. It's that tight in the league that, if you lose a game or two because they come up short, it can make a big difference.

You either trust Moyes's judgement or you don't. If he thought they would do a better job, he would play them, you would think. It depends how much risk he wants to take.