Everton endured a subdued January transfer window, but despite limited activity in both arrivals and departures, the club made several costly mistakes before the deadline closed on Monday evening.
The Toffees’ only late addition came in the final hours of the window, with Tyrique George joining on loan from Chelsea, including an option to make the move permanent. The England youth international is widely regarded as one of the most promising young wingers in the country, making his arrival an exciting prospect for the Merseyside club.
There were no senior departures, which was largely expected given Everton’s thin squad. Injuries, particularly Jack Grealish’s foot problem—which could rule him out for the remainder of the season—forced the club into the market and accelerated the move for George.
However, despite avoiding major upheaval, Everton made three significant errors during the window.
Harrison Armstrong Dilemma
One of the most contentious decisions involved Harrison Armstrong, who was recalled from his loan spell at Preston North End in January. With Idrissa Gueye, Tim Iroegbunam, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall unavailable due to injury and international commitments, Armstrong was brought back to bolster midfield options.
The young midfielder had been thriving in the Championship and quickly became a regular under David Moyes after his return. However, with Everton’s midfield now back to full strength and George added to the squad, Armstrong’s minutes could soon be limited.
In hindsight, Everton’s decision not to allow Armstrong to return to Preston may prove misguided. Regular football at Championship level would likely have benefited his development more than sporadic appearances off the bench. While Moyes could continue to trust him, there remains a real risk that his game time diminishes.
Failure to Address Right-Back Issues
Everton’s long-standing need for a right-back remains unresolved. Seamus Coleman is nearing the end of his career, while Nathan Patterson has struggled to establish consistency, largely due to recurring injuries.
Since taking charge, Moyes has frequently deployed Jake O’Brien in a makeshift right-back role. Although the centre-back has performed admirably at times, he lacks the attacking qualities required for the position. Everton may be planning to strengthen in the summer, but the failure to act in January has left a glaring weakness in the squad—one that is becoming increasingly difficult to excuse.
Dwight McNeil Transfer Collapse
Another misstep came with Dwight McNeil’s failed deadline-day move to Crystal Palace. Everton were reportedly prepared to accept Palace’s £20 million offer, despite being light on natural wingers.
Although the collapse of the deal may not have been entirely Everton’s fault, leaving the decision so late in the window proved costly. With no time to secure a replacement, the club risked weakening its squad and placed unnecessary pressure on negotiations.
Ultimately, the situation was most unfair on McNeil himself. Everton’s failure to actively pursue a sale earlier in the month, if they were open to his departure, stands out as another avoidable error in a flawed January window.
