A look at the changes to the starting XI that David Moyes could make for Everton’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion
David Moyes has a selection headache of the nice variety for Everton this weekend(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Just over a year on from the first of his 10 Premier League away wins since returning to Everton, David Moyes takes his side back to the site of his maiden success on the road at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday with the kind of selection dilemma that managers like to have.
For the first time all season, the Blues boss should have all four of his centre-back options available. James Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien are the incumbent partnership, but could they be split up?
Everton’s most valuable player Jarrad Branthwaite finally made his long-awaited first appearance of the campaign as a half-time substitute against Leeds United having been sidelined with a hamstring injury since going off in the final pre-season friendly against Roma and then undergoing a surgical procedure to correct the issue after suffering a setback when on the verge of a return back in October.
READ MORE: Simon Hooper perplexes Everton supporters as returning heroes honouredREAD MORE: Leeds boss speaks out on Dominic Calvert-Lewin miss and Everton stadium atmosphere
Branthwaite could occupy his usual berth as the left-sided centre-back against the Seagulls while some have suggested he could even fill in at left-back ahead of Vitalii Mykolenko – who struggled last time out against Leeds – as a way of getting him back in the side without dropping his fellow centre-backs who have been playing.
Michael Keane, who has now served his three-match suspension for his controversial sending off against Wolverhampton Wanderers when his hair-pull on Tolu Arokodare – which Moyes insists was not deliberate – was deemed to be violent conduct.
The 33-year-old has arguably been Everton’s most consistent defender all season, but the timing of his recent absence could be unfortunate and he could now face a battle to be recalled to the side.
While a move to play Branthwaite at full-back would be something of a left field choice, it’s a strategy that Moyes has been deploying for the best part of 12 months with O’Brien on the other side of the pitch, and the sudden surfeit of options in the middle might tempt the manager to switch him back to right-back ahead of Nathan Patterson, while fellow Republic of Ireland international and club captain Seamus Coleman has also been on the bench for the past two matches.
Having been down to the bare bones for several weeks, Moyes’ midfield options have also increased substantially. Idrissa Gueye came straight back into the starting line-up against Leeds having won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal alongside club colleague Iliman Ndiaye, who also got the nod.
Gueye’s return, next to James Garner, ensured that Merlin Rohl dropped to the bench against the Yorkshiremen despite producing his best performance to date since his transfer deadline day move in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa, so he will be vying to return.
There’s still no sign of Tim Iroegbunam, but Charly Alcaraz, who can play in the engine room but has been mostly utilised in the attacking midfield berths, was back among the substitutes against Leeds and could step up to either wing or the number 10 role.
Harrison Armstrong, who turned 19 last week, is the incumbent in the latter but with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fit again having played the second half against Daniel Farke’s side, the £25million summer signing will be pushing to start.
Given that Dwight McNeil is naturally left-sided, it will be interesting to see whether Moyes chooses to swap him with the far more ambidextrous Ndiaye against Brighton after the Senegal international replaced the injured Jack Grealish on the left against Leeds.
Tyler Dibling, Everton’s most expensive signing of the summer, came on as a substitute on the right wing in the latter stages on Monday night and remains and option but Adam Aznou, who remained on the bench, seems very much an outsider to get the nod as either left-back or left-winger despite his impressive cameo against Sunderland in the FA Cup exit when he made his debut.
Up front, Thierno Barry, who netted his fourth goal in his last five starts to equalise against Leeds United, now feels like he’s becoming the first-choice striker in the squad with increased minutes and impact ahead of Beto, who came on for him for the last couple of minutes on Monday.
Everton 2025/26 Home Shirt
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£80
£36
Everton Official Store
Everton fans can get 55% off the 2025/26 home shirt with the code COYB.