Moyes could make a £15m sensation at Everton

David Moyes‘ return to Everton could be the catalyst that ensures the club stays in Premier League before next season.

They may have lost the first game of their second spell at Aston Villa, but a stunning 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur – followed by a 1-0 win away at Brighton last time out – proved the club are fighting hard to avoid relegation.

The positive feeling around Goodison Park will continue to grow with each win in the top flight, but Moyes may have to do it without favors Dwight McNeilwhich could be set for a long time outside the field.

Moyes update on Dwight McNeil’s injury

The winger suffered a knee injury at Everton’s Finch Park training session in early December and was a big miss for the club.

Moyes has since released an update on when he will be able to return, but it is not good news for the Goodison faithful.

“I have some news,” he said Everton coach during a friendly match press conference on Friday.

“It looks like Dwight will probably have to have knee surgery. He tried today, so it looks like we’ll have to take him back to the specialist.

“I say surgery, the specialist could decide something else, but he will go to the specialist again. It’s a real blow because we need him back for things like deliveries and set play, but also for his general game. By all accounts, he played very well and not having him is a big blow.”

A big blow indeed, especially considering how impressive McNeil has been for the Toffees this season.

Dwight McNeil’s stats this season

The winger signed with Championship side Burnley ahead of the 2022/23 season and began working under then boss Frank Lampard.

He proved to be one of Lampard’s better signings during his spell on Merseyside. In his first two seasons, McNeil scored ten first league goalswhile registering nine assists as the club avoided relegation during both campaigns.

Sean Dyche deployed the Englishman in a central role during the first half of the 2024/25 season, a position where he shone before getting injured.

In 15 games for the Toffees this term, McNeil scored four goals while he chipped in with three assists, but it wasn’t just his goal contributions that made people stand up and take notice.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has, too created nine great chances in the best league along with an average of 2.5 key passes per game, showing his creative talent as a number ten.

Compared to his Premier League peers, even McNeil is in the top 1% for tackles (7.18) per 90 and in the top 15% for shot creation actions (4.74) per 90, showing how effective he is in the final third.

Moyes will be hoping Everton have enough about them to pull far enough away from the relegation zone by the time the former Burnley star returns from injury.

His signing proves there is great value in scouring the Championship market. Could the Toffees be close to signing another League Two player?

Everton could repeat their McNeil masterclass

As the Telegraph reported earlier this week, Everton are delighted on the signing of Sunderland jewel Dan Neil before the January transfer window closes in just over a week.

Moyes is a big fan of the midfielder and, having previously managed Sunderland, has followed his career ever since. Neil is being closely watched by scouts, although with the Black Cats enjoying a wonderful campaign it could be difficult to secure his signature this month.

A fee of around £15m is being touted, which could turn into an excellent offer if Everton complete a deal.

If so, they could do their McNeil masterclass again, that’s for sure.

Dan Neil’s season in numbers for Sunderland

After leaving Sunderland’s youth academy, Neil moved on play 178 games for the Black Cats since his debut in 2020.

His recent performances have given the club a wonderful opportunity to secure a return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

The midfielder was praised by journalists Ethan Todd follows another great game against Derby, who said: “This was one of Dan Neil’s best performances for Sunderland for me.

“He absolutely controlled and dictated the whole game, with great passing forwards and breakthroughs while keeping things tight in midfield.

“Constantly giving instructions to the team, a proper captain’s performance.”

Such qualities would certainly fit in well with Moyes’ philosophy, and at just 23, Neil has yet to reach his prime. Journalist James Copley even said hello Neil as “fantastic” player, and he certainly has a place in the top.

Defensively, Neil an average of 1.9 attacks and returns 5.8 balls per game in the second tier, while the Englishman wins as much as 52% of his total duels for the Black Cats.

Looking forward, the youngster isn’t as efficient, but he still created three big chances, succeeded on 51% of his dribble attempts, while also averaging 0.8 key passes per game.

It is clear that his ability to dictate play while establishing himself as the heart of his team is what could see him shine in the Premier League one day.

Whether that will be the case with Sunderland or Everton remains to be seen, but Moyes should make a concrete offer for the midfielder sooner rather than later.

If the North-East side secure promotion this term, then his fee will surely go up.

McNeil proved during his two-and-a-half years at Everton that signing players from the second division can be a great way to boost a squad.

Neil could be another success story at Everton.