David Moyes set for triple boost as Everton go from famine to feast in key area

David Moyes set for triple boost as Everton go from famine to feast in key area

A look at the changes to the starting XI that David Moyes could make for Everton's friendly at Blackburn Rovers

David Moyes during the match between Accrington Stanley and Everton at Wham Stadium on July 15, 2025 (Image: Ben Roberts - Danehouse/Getty Images )

Less than 10 miles separate Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park from Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium but it could be all change for Everton for their second pre-season friendly on Saturday. The Blues could go from famine to feast in one crucial area of the pitch with David Moyes’ options opening up.

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Everton kicked off their preparations for the 2025/26 with a 1-1 draw against boyhood Blue John Doolan’s League Two Accrington on Tuesday night and Moyes was not able to call upon a single goalkeeper with first-team experience for the club.

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Both Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic departed at the end of last month after their contracts expired while England number one Jordan Pickford was not available after a prolonged break after being on international duty earlier this summer.

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Therefore, home-grown prospect Harry Tyrer from Crosby, who has been with the Blues since the age of seven, got the nod between the sticks.

The 23-year-old is yet to turn out for Everton’s senior side in a competitive match but has built up 140 games of experience being loaned out over the past three seasons at National League North Chester FC, then National League Chesterfield and finally League One Blackpool last term.

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Tyrer acquitted himself well against Stanley but both he and Fraser Barnsley, 20, who was Moyes’ substitute keeper on the bench, could find themselves pushed down the pecking order against Championship opponents.

Pickford is now back in training at Finch Farm while the club’s latest signing, fellow goalkeeper Mark Travers, signed for £4m from Bournemouth on Tuesday is also in the frame having played second-tier football himself on loan at Middlesbrough in the second half of last season.

Senegal international pair Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have also returned to the group after representing their country and are therefore back in contention but given that they are over a week behind the rest of the squad, while there is a chance they could be involved against Blackburn, they might have to wait until the games in the USA to get up to speed.

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Others who could be pushing for a place in the starting line-up include some of the substitutes brought on by Moyes at Accrington.

Although new signing Thierno Barry has not yet returned from holiday, Beto converted the penalty to earn Everton a 1-1 draw, so he will be vying to take Youssef Chermiti’s place while Under-21s player of the year Isaac Heath won the spot-kick and could come into contention for a place on the flanks.

Jake O’Brien replaced Jarrad Branthwaite at centre-back for the second half so the Republic of Ireland international could slot in at the heart of defence for either Branthwaite or Michael Keane or even at right-back for Nathan Patterson have impressed in that area for Moyes after the Scot’s return to the club in January.

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