“Big Move Brewing: Everton 80% Done with Shock Squad Overhaul as Academy Duo Lined Up for Breakthrough Roles!”

Everton Set to Hand Pre-Season Opportunities to Academy Duo as Moyes Balances Youth and Experience

David Moyes will begin shaping his new-look Everton squad on Tuesday night as the Blues take on Accrington Stanley in their first pre-season friendly. With a host of senior players unavailable and significant departures already this summer, the match is set to provide key opportunities for some of the club’s brightest academy talents.

Following a summer of transition that saw over a dozen first-team players depart, Moyes is working with a threadbare squad during pre-season preparations. With Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye granted extended breaks after international duty, and new signing Thierno Barry also absent following France U21 commitments, Everton will be leaning heavily on youth in the early weeks of their summer schedule.

Among those in contention for senior minutes are 17-year-olds Douglass Lukjanciks and Braiden Graham, as well as 20-year-old Isaac Heath — Everton’s U21 Player of the Season — who recently penned a new two-year deal with the club.

Heath, a regular at right wing for the U21s last season, could benefit from the absence of natural wide options. Both Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells, leaving Moyes short in that area. Although Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil can cover the position, their involvement is not guaranteed for Tuesday’s game. If senior defenders Seamus Coleman and James Tarkowski — who are still returning from injury — are not ready, it could open the door for Heath to feature prominently.

Another player set to benefit is goalkeeper Harry Tyrer. With multiple exits in the goalkeeping department, including Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia, Tyrer is now Everton’s only senior option behind Pickford. After solid loan spells at Chesterfield and Blackpool, the 23-year-old is expected to start at the Wham Stadium. The club is monitoring Bournemouth’s Mark Travers as a potential back-up option, but Moyes appears ready to give Tyrer a chance to stake his claim.

Moyes’ squad returned from a training camp in Scotland last week and now face a demanding pre-season run that includes trips to Blackburn Rovers, the USA, and a final home clash against Roma at the newly completed Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With squad depth a concern, Moyes will likely mix experienced players such as James Garner, Dwight McNeil and Carlos Alcaraz with younger talents including Harrison Armstrong, Tim Iroegbunam and Jenson Metcalfe.

Everton’s potential starting XI for the Accrington clash could look like this (4-5-1): Tyrer; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, O’Brien, Patterson; Alcaraz, Garner, Armstrong, Iroegbunam, McNeil; Beto.

As the club’s pre-season gets underway, the blend of youth and experience may prove vital — both in preparing for the new campaign and identifying which academy players are ready to step into senior roles. With transfer business still ongoing, these early matches offer Moyes a first real glimpse at who could help shape Everton’s future.