Everton’s right-back crisis deepened this week as David Moyes’ summer shopping list failed to land a new full-back. The Toffees, 13th in last season’s Premier League with 49 points and a -3 goal difference, remain without a reliable option on the right despite the clock ticking toward the 2026-27 campaign.
Why is Everton’s right-back hunt stuck?
Moyes’ current choices are threadbare. Nathan Patterson, the injury-prone Scotland international, is expected to leave while Jake O’Brien continues to fill in out of position. Seamus Coleman, the club captain and former Plan C, has retired, forcing Moyes to test Merlin Rohl at right-back in the 1-0 loss to Dundee on 18 July. That friendly only underlined the urgency-yet no signing has followed.
Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Genoa’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy have both been scouted, but sources told iNews on 23 July that Everton are ready to “play the waiting game.” With interest rising from other clubs, that gamble risks backfiring before the season starts on 17 October against Chelsea.
Patterson’s future still up in the air
Patterson’s own future is in flux. Rangers accepted that a return to Ibrox would be tough for the 24-year-old, but links to Sheffield United, Eintracht Frankfurt, Sevilla and multiple Spanish and Italian sides persist. Everton cannot rely on the defender long-term, yet deals for Spence or Norton-Cuffy are not close.
League standing (final 2025 table-new season not yet under way): 13th in Premier League, 49 pts, 13W-10D-15L from 38 games, recent form LLDDL. Goals last season: 47 scored, 50 conceded. Title gap: 36 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Tottenham 1-0 Everton (24 May 2026). Recent form (last five): 0W-1D-4L (LLLLD). Next fixture: vs Chelsea (home, 17 October 2026) (10th in the table).
