In the Spotlight

Putting particular players in focus

• O Guerreiro

  Committed and loyal, talented and misunderstood outside of Goodison Park, Richarlison cemented himself in the hearts of Evertonians, especially in 2021-22 when he rose to the fore as the warrior who scored many of the goals that assured the Blues' Premier League safety

• The Luxury

  James Rodriguez was one of the best players of his generation; a Rolls Royce of a player at a club blighted by so much mediocrity in the modern era. Sadly, he was a luxury Everton couldn't afford, regardless of Rafael Benitez telling him he was unwanted at Goodison Park in 2021.

• The Number One

  Jordan Pickford had come in for criticism at Everton for past mistakes and apparent lack of focus and for a period there some doubting his role as first-choice keeper. Fast forward past the hysterical media reaction to his part in the Van Dijk incident and you had a player matured tremendously in the harshest of spotlights

• The Transformation

  Largely written off at one time by the bulk of the Everton fanbase, Alex Iwobi underwent a metamorphosis unlike any in living Evertonian memory... and it came just when the club desperately needed it

• The Avatar

  For most of 2021-22, Anthony Gordon channeled the passion, desperation and energy of a fearful fanbase on the pitch. 2022-23 was supposed to be a season of further development for him at Goodison but big-money offers from elsewhere threw up a hard choice for the club.

• Alex Young — An Iconic Everton Number 9

  In an excerpted chapter from his latest book, Evertonian author Jim Keoghan profiles one of the Toffees' greatest ever forwards; a player of such unparalleled talent that he earned the enduring nickname, "The Golden Vision"

• The Most Improved

  It was not hyperbole to suggest that at one stage Michael Keane was close to being written off in some quarters as another expensive but ultimately inadequate signing from the Steve Walsh era. He came a long way in the space of Marco Silva's first season in charge.

• The Skipper

  Everton's decision not to award a new contract to Phil Jagielka brings to an end a 12-year career characterised by consistency and exemplary leadership by example, one that was deserving of more success but which will nonetheless be remembered for a long time to come.

• The Priority

  While André Gomes has long been regarded as the "must-buy" of the summer of 2019, there was a strong case for saying that it was Everton's other loan star, Kurt Zouma, who was more important to the Blues’ immediate future. The failure to land him would have far-reaching implications.

• The Misfit?

  Sometimes things just don’t work out in particular circumstances and it would be a massive shame that Ademola Lookman and Everton were never meant to be.

• The Renaissance

  Had Morgan Schneiderlin left Goodison last summer, few would have been surprised or, it’s fair to say, even been that concerned. Fast forward a year and the Frenchman has undergone quite the revival in form and favour.

• The Machine

  drissa Gueye had been the ideal foil for the high-pressing game that Marco Silva instituted at Everton; a key factor in what was a remarkable run of defensive form in the second half of the 2018-19 season, especially at Goodison Park, and a platform from which the manager can build for next season. But could the club keep him?

• James McFadden

  After an impressive start at Goodison his form flagged along with his confidence. With a shortage of strikers, the first half of the 2004/05 season might have been his perfect opportunity but he fell victim to a successful new formation.

• Lee Carsley

  How will an unsung hero of David Moyes's midfield fit into any new formation?

• The Wonder Kid

  Wayne Rooney's 90th-minute wonder goal that ended Arsenal's 29-game unbeaten run propelled Everton's best-kept secret onto the national stage. It proved to be the beginning of the end of his days at Goodison.

• Marksman Reborn

  Ageing striker Kevin Campbell striker enjoys a brief upturn in form in David Moyes's first season in charge.

• Zinedine Zilbane – Goodison’s new Super Kev

  Sebastian Hassett of Sports Australia Media pens this appreciation of the Irish winger

• The Key to Salvation

  Billed as the answer to Everton's prolonged lack of a prolific goalscorer, Tomasz Radzinski failed to come anywhere near a 20-a-season man but he was undoubtedly the top man in season 2002-03 as the Blues finished 7th.

• Joe-Max Moore

  We do our best to talk up Joe-Max Moore's striking talents during a crippling winter injury crisis.

• Michael Ball

  The home-grown defender sees the end of his Goodison days looming.