Carlos Alcaraz has seemingly accepted that his Everton career is finished after a telling gesture following Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory. The Argentine midfielder walked alone down the tunnel after applauding fans, a moment spotted by TNT Sports reporter Ben Grounds.
Grounds described the scene on social media platform X. "Tonight felt like the moment Carlos Alcaraz accepted defeat in his Everton career," he wrote. "Applauded the 6,000 travelling fans right on full-time before cutting an isolated figure as he quickly about-turned and walked alone towards the tunnel."
What happened after the Preston match?
Alcaraz came off the bench for a nine-minute appearance in the 4-0 win at Deepdale. After the final whistle, his actions suggested a farewell. The 23-year-old joined Everton permanently last summer for a reported £12 million following a loan spell from Southampton. His permanent move has not delivered, with just one goal and one assist in 22 total appearances for the club. You can view his profile and season statistics on our stats page.
Why has Alcaraz struggled at Everton?
His initial impact on loan was promising, contributing two goals and three assists in 16 games. That form convinced David Moyes to sanction the permanent deal. However, the subsequent arrival of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the same attacking midfield role changed the dynamic. Dewsbury-Hall immediately became a central figure, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in his debut season on Merseyside. He has already netted once in two matches this campaign and was instrumental in the win over Preston. This consistency has limited Alcaraz's opportunities to just substitute appearances.
What does the future hold for Alcaraz?
Interest in the player exists from clubs in Argentina and Turkey, with River Plate and Besiktas mentioned as potential suitors. Everton are likely to consider serious offers to move him on. His current contract situation and the club's overall squad planning can be followed on our squad page. With Dewsbury-Hall firmly established, Alcaraz's path to regular football at Goodison Park appears blocked. The club's focus will shift to managing the remainder of the transfer window and preparing for upcoming Premier League fixtures, which are listed on our fixtures page.
How does this affect Everton's squad depth?
Losing a player like Alcaraz would thin the options in advanced midfield areas, though his lack of minutes reduces the immediate impact. It underscores the competitive nature of building a squad capable of challenging in both domestic competitions. The incident highlights the difficult decisions facing management when signings do not meet expectations. For Alcaraz, a fresh start elsewhere now seems the most probable outcome for his career.
