Now the dust has settled on last season, what did Everton achieve? A 13th placed finish duplicated the previous campaign, albeit with one more point. But after promising much most of the way, a woeful return of just three draws from the final seven matches saw the mood of many fans take a sharp turn to the negative.
With the Blues very much in the conversation for European football, it was galling to see the club slide backwards during the campaign’s closing stages, while Bournemouth, newly promoted Sunderland and Brighton all qualified for either the Europa or Conference League.
Entering the summer, the heat is very much on David Moyes, possibly for the first time in his 12 and a half year association with the Toffees, over two managerial spells. The team has earned 48, 48 and 49 points over the past three campaigns, finishing comfortably midtable each time. Another season of mere stability is unlikely to satisfy many.
Fans want to see some much needed ambition. With CEO Angus Kinnear proclaiming last month that this summer will constitute the second phase of Everton’s two summer squad rebuild plan, all eyes are on who’ll be departing and arriving during the soon to be open transfer window.
The first stage of this procedure will be taking decisions on the fates of those players whose contracts are up at the end of the month. Here’s our assessment.
Seamus Coleman
Signed for €70k, Jan 1st 2009
At this time last year, I’d stated that for the club to hand the Irishman a new contract would reek of old style Everton sentimentality, given his increasing lack of availability over the previous two campaigns. Moyes, however, was determined to get the club captain to extend his playing career for another season, citing his leadership presence.
Well, it turned out pretty much as I’d anticipated. His decline continued precipitously, with Coleman managing just a single start from five league appearances totalling a pitiful 20 minutes and limping off after only ten at Old Trafford in that lone start.
Despite the 37 year old being provably yesterday’s man, Moyes still bizarrely opted to bring him on as a late substitute in Everton’s final home game of the campaign, with the team trailing 2-1 to Sunderland in what would prove to be the moment the European door finally slammed shut. Caught out, along with his fellow defenders for the Black Cats’ third goal, it proved to be a sorry sign off for the popular veteran in front of a disgruntled home support.
Coleman’s choice to reject offers to stay with the Blues in a non playing capacity and to continue elsewhere, in the hopes of sustaining his international status, was a personal one. He departs with the best wishes of all, as one of the club’s best ever value for money signings.
Verdict: Released
Michael Keane
Signed for €28.5m from Burnley, Jul 3rd 2017
Another to feature on this list a year ago, the former Claret was handed a one year deal, ostensibly to serve as a fourth choice centre half, a sensible move which retained the services of a durable, experienced player.
The club’s failure to address the long standing problem at right back resulted in theoretical third choice centre half Jake O’Brien continuing in the position for the entire campaign. Even so, few would have envisaged the veteran racking up more than 2,500 minutes of Premier League action last term, including 29 starts.
Opinions on how successful Keane was are mixed. Some thought he’d been one of Everton’s best players. Others acknowledged that whilst he’d generally performed solidly, he matched up poorly with the similarly slow and immobile James Tarkowski as a partnership, the team shipping an alarming 15 goals over the final seven games highlighted this concern.
Keane has signed a new one year deal. Considering the amount of recruitment the club will have to undertake this summer, the justification for this remains sound. However, much will depend on O’Brien being moved inside to his natural position.
Verdict: Retained
Vitaliy Mykolenko
Signed for €23.5m from Dynamo Kyiv, Jan 1st 2022
Acquired as a replacement for Lucas Digne, the Ukrainian has been a divisive figure amongst fans, despite now having accumulated 159 appearances for the club. Whilst Mykolenko is a solid enough defender, his limitations in support of the attack are evident: he has four goals and just three assists in 143 league games for Everton.
The news that the 27 year old has signed a new deal, extending his stay until 2029, has caused much online discontent. Most fans want to see him replaced rather than continuing as a starter. With teenage prospect Adam Aznou getting nowhere near the pitch last term, it remains to be seen whether the club bring in a viable alternative.
From a purely financial perspective, the player commands some market value as a Premier League starter for more than four straight years. It was prudent of Everton to take steps to avoid him walking away for no fee.
Verdict: Retained
Idrissa Gueye
Signed for €4m from PSG, Sep 1st 2022
This time last year I argued strongly for the midfielder to be retained. Then, he’d appeared undiminished. But there were signs of decline this term.
Compared to the 2024/25 campaign, last season’s per 90 minutes statistics saw his tackles drop from 3.6 to 1.7, duels won from 5.3 to 3.2, interceptions from 1.3 to 1.1, and balls recovered from 5.2 to 4.6. Gueye’s technical indicators remained strong, suggesting the issue is athletic decline rather than general ability.
With the automatic one year extension not having met the appearance threshold required, a discussion on new terms is ongoing. With the league’s new Squad Cost Ratio arriving next season, the club will want him to accept a lower wage. He’s currently thought to be on a reputed £120k per week, behind only Jordan Pickford.
The player who will be on show at the World Cup representing Senegal, would likely be reluctant to accept much reduced wages and will enjoy interest from Saudi Arabia. Everton appear poised to move away from their reliance on Gueye.
Verdict: Likely to leave
Tyler Onyango
Academy
Included for completion purposes, Onyango has been released by the club. Luton born, he joined the youth ranks way back in 2011 and made his first team debut in the FA Cup five and a half years ago.
The 23 year old failed to make the grade at Everton but can hopefully go on to enjoy a good career in the professional game if he is able to overcome his fitness issues.
Verdict: Released
The bottom line
One legend departing. One veteran retained. One divisive left back extended. One aging midfielder likely on his way out. One academy product released.
Everton’s end of contract decisions tell a story of a club trying to balance sentiment with reality, experience with renewal.
Coleman’s farewell was shambolic. Keane’s extension is sensible. Mykolenko’s new deal has divided fans. Gueye’s future is uncertain. Onyango’s release was inevitable.
The summer rebuild is now underway. The second phase of the two summer plan begins.
Moyes is under pressure. The fans want ambition. And the clock is ticking.
