Looking Ahead at the Everton Squad in 2025-26

With the current season barely 2 months old and the ownership situation yet to be fully resolved, it might be a bit early to be thinking about next season. 

However, with some time on my hands, I was curious to see what our full first-team squad looks like and was surprised – and I was shocked to find we have no less than 12 first-team players out of contract next summer – basically half the squad!  Whichever way you look at it, the team that takes the field next season is going to be very different to the one we have now.

Mangala, Harrison, Broja and Lindstrom are all on loan.  I don’t think realistically we’ll be buying any of the first 3 as either the price will be too high and/or they won’t be wanted.  Ultimately, it depends on how they perform come June (and what funds are available).

The other players out of contract are: Virginia, Begovic, Keane, Young, Coleman, Doucoure, Gueye, and Calvert-Lewin. 

I'm not worried about back-up goalkeepers as they’re not costly and I imagine one or both can be extended easily.  Young, Coleman and Gueye will need replacing due to age (you’d think and hope!).  I would also hope we don’t offer Keane another contract unless it is on much lower wages than his current £70k per week, given he’s back-up.  Also, that depends on the Branthwaite situation (further discussed below).

Doucoure I can see being let go, he’s our top earner on £130k per week and doesn’t justify this salary, or anywhere near it.  He’s been useful but this you’d think will be his last season.  Calvert-Lewin doesn’t seem to want to sign the current contract on offer, so a large outlay may be needed to bring in a replacement for next season.

The elephant in the room is naturally who will be the manager next season?  I cannot imagine anyone will be making major squad decisions until a) the ownership change is finalised; and b) there is some clarity on the manager for next season.  As such, if Sean Dyche is left in charge for the time being (as I would expect if results are okay), I don’t think we’ll see much transfer activity in January. 

However, if the new ownership does want to make a change for next season, they need to ensure this isn’t left so late that we have issues replacing all the above players with late panic buys.  Any new manager, no matter who they are, will want to stamp their mark on the squad and sign their own players, so this will further add to any upheaval. 

Personally, I would keep Dyche until the season's end but, if The Friedkin Group want someone else next year, there is an argument to say they should twist now, to give the new guy time to assess the current squad and plan for the above player changes well before the end of the season.  Not great for Dyche, admittedly, but timing is quite key here.

Overall, it’s a tricky one, but there are some positives and easy wins I can see:

a)     Extend at least one back-up keeper contract before season end.  Pickford’s got 2 years left on his contract so no rush here.

b)     Give Dixon and Armstrong decent playing time to allow them to be promoted to the first-team squad.  Replaces two players at no extra cost.

c)      With the likes of Young, Coleman, Gueye and Doucoure leaving, the manager will have a decent amount on the wage bill to sign replacements, at least on free transfers.

d)     More loans can again beef up the squad.

e)      I’d also hope we can loan/buy players from AS Roma without being price gouged (we could also send players the other way).

The main player issues revolve around Calvert-Lewin and Branthwaite.  The former may be persuaded to stay if the change of ownership leads to an improved contract offer.  However, I’m not sure myself if I want him to stay.  After 8 years, I think it's best for both to part ways and we bring in someone fresh.  

It may be an idea to sell him in January if we get an offer, to avoid him leaving for free.  However, it depends on Broja and Chermiti being fit and performing and Beto stepping up.  

Branthwaite will have 2 years left on his contract at the end of this season and realistically I can’t see him staying.  Too many bigger teams will be after him and he likely won’t sign an extension.  Not selling next summer would mean receiving a lot less the year after and nothing the year after that.  If we do sell next summer, then at least we’ll have decent funds to reinvest – again, however, it all depends on the manager situation.

Thelwell’s definitely got his hands full over the next 9 months (assuming he’s kept on!).  The new owners will no doubt be aware of all the above and it will be interesting to see how things pan out once they officially take over later this year.

The only request on my side, if they do decide to change the manager: please, please, please, do not sign Southgate or bring Moyes back.

As always with Everton, it's not dull – off the pitch at least.

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