Credit: Imago
Wed 22 April 2026 17:10, UK
Merlin Rohl turned away from the gathered journalists with a wry smile on his face. “Sound interview,” he had told them before heading back inside at Villa Park.
Rohl has worked tirelessly to improve his grasp of the English language since joining Everton, and even attempted some informal slang after helping his side beat Aston Villa 1-0 back in January. “Sound”, of course, means “good” in Liverpool.
It’s just a shame this is not an apt description for his time in the Premier League to date. Regardless, his future on Merseyside is now guaranteed for the long-term after the Toffees’ obligation to buy him permanently was triggered last week.
The 23-year-old will officially become David Moyes‘ first signing of the upcoming summer window, but not everyone at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be pleased. His is a curious case, but it cannot be denied that he has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Freiburg.
Everton had no choice but to sign Rohl after their Premier League survival was mathematically confirmed, and the divisive deal will set them back around £18million.
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Why hasn’t it worked out for Merlin Rohl at Everton?
There will be a degree of confusion over why Rohl’s switch hasn’t worked out, and more than a few probing questions over the obligation clause that was included in the first place.
On paper, he looked to be the perfect signing. He speaks well, is deeply intelligent, and boasts a wise head on his young shoulders. Rohl is said to have represented himself during discussions with Everton because his agents were not licensed to operate in the UK.
Merlin Rohl in 2025-26 Premier LeagueTotalAppearances12Starts2Minutes played358Minutes per appearance29.8
But these traits have not translated into regular minutes. Moyes doesn’t appear to fully trust him, handing him just two Premier League appearances and 358 minutes. Clearly, if Everton had a choice now, they would not have given the permanent deal the green light.
Moyes will perhaps have argued that the money would have been better spent on a long-term return for Jack Grealish or strengthening at centre-back, but now, he has no choice but to try to get the best out of a player who simply doesn’t seem to fit into his puzzle.
The good news is that Rohl is undoubtedly still an asset.
He can hold his own across a variety of positions and made his first start for the club in the 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in December as a No 10. His best performance came against Villa, when only the post stopped him from opening his account for the season.
Rohl was expected to step in for midfield anchor Idrissa Gueye during the Africa Cup of Nations, but was initially denied the opportunity to do so after a hip issue and subsequent hernia surgery. This will have been a source of frustration for both player and manager.
Moyes and his backroom staff were quickly impressed by the midfielder’s efforts in training. Rohl’s “physicals are something else” was the glowing verdict from the Scot back in October. All the signs pointed to him becoming one of the Premier League’s best athletes.
Unfortunately for him, that has not materialised.
Everton’s long-term interest in Rohl backfired
But this deal was no 50/50 judgement call decided by a coin toss. Everton had wanted to sign Rohl as far back as the summer of 2024 before trying again the following January. On that occasion, they were snubbed, with Freiburg reluctant to lose him mid-season.
Despite the changes at boardroom level at Hill Dickinson, with director of football Kevin Thelwell and head of recruitment Dan Purdy both leaving for Rangers, Rohl remained on the radar. With the groundwork already in place, it made sense to launch a third swoop.
Moyes had been fully on board with the decision, but has seemingly not been impressed enough to hand him regular minutes. This has resulted in him restricting Rohl to a meagre 12 outings in all competitions, and he is unlikely to be recalled during Everton’s crucial run-in.
Credit: Breaking Media
With a place in Europe tantalisingly close, Moyes will be reluctant to rotate his starting XI for the sake of it. But, should his side get over the line, it would be good news for Rohl. More football would likely equal greater opportunities for him to finally prove himself in England.
This is now a partnership neither party can contractually back out of, and it will be crucial that they make the most of it. For now, though, the picture is bleak.
Rohl was expected to take the next step in his career at Everton, but has done anything but. Instead, his lack of Toffees action has left him stuck and unsure of what lies ahead.
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