Everton 2026/27 Premier League preview: Pressure mounting on the owners to show ambition

Everton manager David Moyes has made no secret of his desire to deliver sustained success to the club’s long-suffering fanbase.

Sitting in the shadow of local rivals Liverpool is a hugely frustrating position to be in for followers of the oldest professional football club in the city.

Having triggered improvement in Everton’s fortunes since returning in 2025, Moyes is desperate to demonstrate that he can take them to the next level.

With that in mind, read on as we assess whether Everton can force their way into the upper echelons of the Premier League this season.

Everton Premier League fixtures 2026/27

Everton summer transfers 2026

IN: Merlin Rohl (Freiburg, £21.7m), Tyrique George (Chelsea, £18m), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough, £16.5m), Christian Norgaard (Arsenal, £7m), Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace, player swap).

OUT: Isaac Heath (Cambridge United, free), Seamus Coleman (released), Tyler Ontango (released), Idrissa Gana Gueye (released), Dwight McNeill (Crystal Palace, player swap).

(Information correct on August 19).

Everton Premier League season 2026/27 preview

Based purely on history, Everton should not be finishing behind clubs such as Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Fulham.

However, that point ignores the fact that the landscape in English football has changed dramatically during the Premier League era.

Everton were on course to qualify for Europe last season, but ultimately dropped out of the race to finish in 13th place. That was a hugely disappointing outcome.

The club has taken a prudent approach to their summer transfer business, and it will be intriguing to see if this strategy delivers the desired results.

Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard should prove to be shrewd additions in midfield, while Brennan Johnson could be the type of player who flourishes under Moyes.

The club desperately needs to sign a specialist right-back following Seamus Coleman’s retirement and the addition of a prolific striker also wouldn’t go amiss.

Tyler Dibling, Harrison Armstrong and Adam Aznou are promising youngsters who could step up this season, but Everton still need more new players before the transfer window closes.

Keeping central defender Jarrad Branthwaite fit will be crucial to their hopes, particularly with James Tarkowski now in the veteran stage of his career.

Moyes recently called on the club to add more quality to the squad, and the board must show they are willing to back him.

The Friedkin Group said they were committed to ‘leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch’ when they completed their takeover in 2024.

Two successive 13th-placed finishes can only be categorised as stability, and the next couple of weeks will highlight just how ambitious they actually are.

Moyes is often pigeon-holed as a safe pair of hands, but sending him into the season with a squad containing holes sets him up to fail.

If Everton can add more quality to their squad before the summer transfer window closes, they should be firmly in contention for European qualification.

Failing to do so would leave Moyes facing another uphill battle and cast significant doubt on his long-term future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The owners would also have questions to answer about their vision for the club.

Read more: Premier League 2026/27 season preview.