David Moyes’ first Everton signing is clear—and it’s not Ernest Nuamah.

Everton made the controversial decision to sack Sean Dyche just hours before he was set to lead the team in their FA Cup tie against Peterborough United on Thursday.

 

While the timing raised eyebrows, the decision itself was justified, given the club’s precarious position near the relegation zone.

 

Currently sitting 16th in the Premier League, Everton are just one point ahead of Wolves and Ipswich, and four points behind Crystal Palace. Although they have a game in hand, it is against Liverpool, leaving little optimism for a victory.

 

With Ipswich proving capable of strong performances and Wolves benefiting from their own managerial change, Everton faced the real danger of slipping further down the table if no action was taken.

 

As a result, the club moved swiftly, appointing David Moyes as manager just 48 hours after Dyche’s departure.

 

This marks Moyes’ second stint at Goodison Park, following his successful 11-year tenure before leaving for Manchester United in 2013.

 

While his time at Old Trafford and Real Sociedad was challenging, Moyes restored his reputation during two productive spells at West Ham.

 

Everton will now hope Moyes can replicate his past success and stabilize the team.

 

To achieve this, he must make full use of the January transfer window to inject energy and quality into an aging and uninspiring squad.

 

Reports indicate Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah could be Moyes’ first signing, but the club’s most urgent need is undoubtedly a striker.

Everton’s Struggles Up Front

 

Although Dyche managed to grind out some valuable draws, Everton’s inability to score goals proved to be his undoing.

 

The team has failed to find the net in eight of their last 10 Premier League matches and has only scored in eight of their 19 games this season.

 

While Everton’s defensive record is relatively strong for a team in the bottom five, their meager tally of 15 goals is only better than Southampton’s 12.

 

Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye are the club’s top scorers with three goals each, while strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto, and Armando Broja have combined for just three goals.

 

This lack of firepower is alarming, and unless reinforcements are secured, Everton could face their first-ever relegation from the Premier League.

 

Striker a Top Priority in January

 

Thankfully, Everton appear to recognize the severity of their situation, and securing a striker is reportedly their top priority.

 

While Nuamah, a winger, has a respectable scoring record with his former club FC Nordsjælland and could provide valuable assists, the team needs a dedicated goal scorer to address their glaring offensive issues.

 

The challenge lies in attracting a quality striker to a struggling team.

 

Everton may need to target players who are out of favor at their current clubs, hidden gems, or short-term loan deals.

 

One potential option is Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, a promising young striker who burst onto the scene in 2022 but has struggled for goals and minutes since.

 

At just 20 years old, Ferguson has plenty of potential, and a loan move to Everton could provide him with the regular playing time he needs to develop.

 

Ferguson’s physical presence and ability to hold up play align well with David Moyes’ preferred system, which often features a dominant striker like Michail Antonio.

 

Additionally, Brighton has shown interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, creating the possibility of a mutually beneficial arrangement between the two clubs.

 

Alternative Targets

 

Beyond Ferguson, Everton have been linked to several other strikers. Rangers’ Hamza Igamane, Igor Jesus from Flamengo, and Tim Kleindienst of Borussia Mönchengladbach have all been mentioned as potential targets.

 

Moyes might also consider raiding his former club West Ham for Danny Ings, a proven Premier League forward who could provide immediate impact.

 

While these names may not excite fans, Everton must prioritize pragmatism over prestige to secure at least one reliable striker before the transfer window closes.

 

Without reinforcements, the team’s chances of survival will dwindle further.

 

Moyes’ Task Ahead

 

Moyes faces a significant challenge as he seeks to steer Everton away from relegation.

 

His first priority will be to address the team’s lack of goals, but he also needs to reinvigorate the squad and rebuild confidence.

 

Drawing on his extensive experience and knowledge of the Premier League, Moyes has the tools to make a positive impact, but time is of the essence.

 

His previous success at Everton demonstrates his ability to get the best out of limited resources, and the club will hope he can replicate that formula in his second spell.

 

With the transfer window offering a critical opportunity to strengthen the squad, Moyes must act decisively to address the team’s shortcomings and lay the groundwork for a brighter future.

 

In conclusion, Everton’s decision to replace Dyche with Moyes reflects the club’s urgent need for change.

 

While the timing of Dyche’s dismissal was controversial, it may prove to be the catalyst for a turnaround.

 

Moyes’ experience and tactical acumen, combined with smart recruitment in January, could be the key to keeping Everton in the Premier League.

 

However, the clock is ticking, and every decision in the coming weeks will carry significant weight.