This week, we asked you for your questions on all things Everton.
Lots of you were in touch with topics, including January transfer plans, the futures of Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner and potential changes behind the scenes.
Here, our Everton correspondent, Patrick Boyland, answers some of those questions. Thanks to those who got involved, and apologies if we didn’t get to yours.
Alfie D — Who are the club targeting in January? Would love a move for Ivan Toney
There will be more on the winter transfer from us as we get closer to January, Alfie, but I’d expect the club to look at potential options in both full-back positions and up front.
I’m pretty sure Toney has been a player of interest, but there would be many hurdles to overcome to complete a deal.
He could be open to returning to England to improve his chances of securing a World Cup spot, but financially, you also need to make it worth his while.
Other clubs would almost certainly be interested. He had offers from Champions League sides when he left for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, and the expectation is that at least some of those would consider a January move, too. Not easy.
J W — Major English and European clubs are supposedly interested in Ndiaye. Is there truth to this, and do you think we can hold onto him?
We had a fair few questions about Ndiaye’s situation after his outstanding start to the season.
Over the summer, Everton rejected an enquiry, worth more than £40million ($52.6m), from Italy’s Inter for him. Other clubs in England and on the continent are tracking his progress, too.
Everton are relatively relaxed about Ndiaye’s situation. He is happy on Merseyside — settled in the area and close in particular to Idrissa Gueye — and has three years left on his deal.
He is not one of the club’s top earners, though — far from it — and at some point, the club will have to make him an offer that reflects his status as a key player if they want to keep him.
A similar thing happened with Jarrad Branthwaite over the summer. If you’re turning down big-money offers, then agents and players usually see that as a cue to push for improved terms.
Matt V — Any update on a new contract for James Garner?
Nothing significant, Matt.
I revealed last season that the club have an option to extend Garner’s contract by a further year, so the situation isn’t as urgent as it sounds. A new deal was discussed under the previous regime, but the changes behind the scenes saw that grind to a halt.
Moyes loves Garner and sees him as a key player who can push for England selection. The club will offer him a new deal at some stage — watch this space.
Collin A — Adam Aznou needs to get up to Premier League physicality. Is there a timeline for this?
I’m not aware of a detailed schedule for Aznou — but a January loan is one of the options being explored to speed up his development.
If that happens, Everton will need to find left-back cover.
Patrick L — Do we have any updates on the football management team and their roles? Who is picking up the academy improvements?
New director of scouting and recruitment James Smith started officially at the end of the summer, while technical director Nick Cox, who was Manchester United’s academy director, is now around a month into his role.
Both should make their mark in the coming months, with changes expected in recruitment and on the academy side. Cox will have oversight over the latter and should play a hands-on role in bringing about change there.
One of his first tasks will be to appoint a new academy director after the departure of Gareth Prosser to Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates over the summer.
David A also asked about the technical staff. The club have explored the possibility of adding a set-piece coach following Charlie Adam’s exit at the end of last season, but there has been no significant movement.
Keaton S — How is Leighton Baines progressing as a coach? I’m curious whether he is viewed internally as a future manager?
He’s doing very well, Keaton. In past interviews with The Athletic, assistant managers Billy McKinlay and Alan Irvine have spoken about his impact behind the scenes.
Baines was recommended for promotion when Moyes arrived, with existing staff aware of the Scot’s desire to add youth to his setup. He has quickly made his mark and is seen as a deep thinker who meticulously studies his craft, with a keen tactical brain.
Most people I speak to suspect he will be ready to take the step into management at some point if he wishes, but for now, he’s a valued member of Moyes’ setup.
Dylan L — What is your sense of how the club view the under-21 talent? Harrison Armstrong has looked good, but who are some of the others that the club are high on?
The view over the summer was that only Armstrong, 18, was close to challenging for a first-team berth.
That’s not to say other players aren’t or weren’t held in high regard, but he was deemed by far the closest to being ready. Ideally, they would have wanted a few more staking a claim, given the amount of recruitment they had to do for the first team.
Striker Braiden Graham and winger Justin Clarke have both been promoted early, as has the 17-year-old former Arsenal midfielder Demi Akarakiri, who was a standout in the recent under-18 derby win against Liverpool.
Daniel P asked about the plan for Isaac Heath, the 21-year-old on loan at Accrington Stanley. Heath has made a real impact at the League Two club, but I would expect him to get a loan at a higher level next.
Signed from Charlton Athletic over the summer, England Under-17 centre-back Reuben Gokah has impressed behind the scenes. I would also keep an eye on Jonathan Nsangou, another age-group international, who has been prolific in the academy ranks.
Nsangou, 15, also qualifies for Poland and apparently has a European passport, which makes his future particularly interesting.
Paul H — Can you ask the club if they’re discussing the transport situation (to and from the new stadium) with Merseyrail? I know the fan advisory board is on it.
The transport situation is worth its own piece. But members from the transport working group, convened by the club and also comprising the local authority and transport providers, have met recently with fan groups. A follow-up meeting was held this week to go through feedback.
Street lighting has been a problem. Changes could be underway, with Liverpool City Council committing £1.5million to works scheduled for completion by the end of November. There is also a need to reduce traffic congestion, particularly post-game.
The club says the average wait time at nearby Sandhills station this season has been 18 minutes. Anecdotal evidence, including yours, suggests that wait time was longer on Saturday. Merseytravel is under the combined authority’s control.
These meetings are likely to continue throughout the season and I would expect incremental improvements over time.
Stephen B — What is it like working as part of the media pack at the new stadium compared to Goodison Park?
It’s been a major upgrade on Goodison, where the press facilities were extremely cramped. I’ve enjoyed seeing the reactions of my colleagues from The Athletic who have come for games and been blown away (not literally, yet).
Most facilities are much better integrated. It’s easy to go from the tunnel area, where we conduct interviews, to the press conference room. The latter is on a steep incline and Moyes’ desk is pretty high up, so I’ve decided against sitting in the first row and constantly craning my neck.
I just need to watch how many blue doughnuts I eat! I’m hoping the steep walk to the press box at the back of the West Stand will put me right there…
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