Moyes discusses summer transfers and player fitness before Everton’s clash with West Ham.
Everton manager David Moyes acknowledges that recruitment has evolved since his first tenure at Goodison Park, following the announcement that director of football Kevin Thelwell will leave the club this summer. Thelwell, who has held the role since February 2022, will not have his contract renewed, with Everton shifting to a broader sporting leadership team.
Speaking ahead of Everton’s clash with West Ham, Moyes admitted: “I don’t know all the answers to that at the moment. Unfortunately, Kevin will be leaving his job. He’s done a great job here through some really difficult periods, ensuring Everton remained a Premier League club. I have a lot of admiration for his work.”
Moyes revealed that changes are still being finalized and that he has had only a brief conversation with incoming CEO Angus Kinnear. “There’s going to be a change, and things are still being pieced together. I’ve spoken briefly with Angus, but he has his job at Leeds, and I don’t want to disrupt him.” He emphasized that planning is underway but that Everton’s league status remains a key factor in their recruitment strategy.
Throughout his managerial career, Moyes has been heavily involved in player recruitment. However, he admits the process has changed significantly since his first spell at Everton from 2002 to 2013, when he regularly scouted players himself. “Nowadays, you need a lot more support with recruitment. It’s not like the old days when I’d stop by Wigan to watch Leighton Baines or visit Sheffield United to scout Phil Jagielka. It’s a much more complex process now.”
He stressed the importance of relying on scouts and a structured recruitment team. “You need plenty of input from your scouting and recruitment departments. We’re still working on pulling everything together, but we’re making progress.”
Moyes also provided updates on player fitness ahead of the West Ham match. Armando Broja, recently seen back in full training, is edging closer to a return. “He’s in and around it, similar to Youssef Chermiti and Seamus Coleman, who have had a few extra days of training. Hopefully, we can get Broja on the bench tomorrow.”
Additionally, he mentioned that Ili Ndiaye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Dwight McNeil are nearing a return. “They are all getting very close, maybe not quite ready yet, but they are not far off.”
Leave a Reply