Everton Have Unearthed a Defensive “Monster” Who Could Be Moyes’ New Rooney – And It’s Not Beto

David Moyes Returns, and Beto Steps Up

 

For years, Everton fans had been left disillusioned, their hopes repeatedly dashed by underwhelming performances and instability at the club.

 

But then, David Moyes returned, bringing with him a sense of familiarity and order that had been missing for far too long.

 

While his comeback began with a narrow defeat against Aston Villa, that match only hinted at what was to come.

 

Since then, Moyes has guided Everton on a remarkable seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, winning four games and proving that his managerial expertise remains intact.

 

A major beneficiary of Moyes’ revival has been Beto, a player who, despite flashes of promise, had struggled to fully impose himself at Goodison Park before the Scot’s arrival.

 

Over the past six matches, however, the powerful striker has notched five goals, showcasing the kind of finishing ability that Everton had been crying out for.

 

His resurgence has not gone unnoticed, with The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland praising the way Moyes has unlocked the Portuguese forward’s potential.

 

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future uncertain as his contract nears its end, Beto has a golden opportunity to cement himself as Everton’s leading striker. However, that is no easy feat.

The club has seen some outstanding forwards over the years, and to truly leave a lasting impact, he would need to replicate the influence of greats like Romelu Lukaku.

 

Even then, surpassing the legacy of Wayne Rooney at Goodison Park would be another challenge entirely.

 

Rooney’s Time Under Moyes at Everton

Of course, the idea of Beto eclipsing Rooney’s impact is wishful thinking. Not to take anything away from the current Everton striker, but Rooney is widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted footballers of his generation.

 

A five-time Premier League champion with Manchester United, he burst onto the scene as a teenager at Everton, quickly becoming one of the most exciting young talents in world football.

 

It was Moyes who handed Rooney his senior debut, bringing him on in a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2002.

 

Just 16 years old at the time, the prodigious forward wasted little time in making an impression, providing an assist for Mark Pembridge in that very match. This was only the beginning.

 

Two months later, Rooney truly announced himself with a stunning last-minute goal against Arsenal, securing Everton a famous victory and ending the Gunners’ incredible 30-match unbeaten run.

 

It was the type of moment that signaled the arrival of a generational talent, a player who could change the course of a game with a single touch.

 

By the end of the 2002/03 season, he had scored six goals, a tally he improved upon the following campaign with nine goals from 26 starts.

 

Inevitably, his performances caught the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, and in the summer of 2004, Manchester United came calling.

 

Everton, unable to resist the financial pull of the Red Devils, sold their young star for £27 million—an enormous fee at the time.

 

Ferguson famously hailed Rooney as the best young English player he had seen in 30 years, and history would prove him right.

 

The forward went on to have a glittering career at United, eventually becoming both their all-time top scorer and, for a time, England’s leading marksman.

 

While Harry Kane has since overtaken him on both fronts, Rooney’s legacy remains untouchable.

 

Although he eventually returned to Everton later in his career, his peak years were spent at Old Trafford. Moyes had discovered a gem, but the lure of Manchester United was too strong.

 

And now, history could be repeating itself at Goodison Park—though this time, the player in question isn’t Beto.

 

Moyes’ New Rooney at Everton

Moyes has a knack for maximizing a player’s potential. His ability to instill belief and extract the best from his squad is one of his greatest managerial strengths.

 

While Beto has certainly flourished under his guidance, Everton’s next Rooney-like talent might actually be found in a completely different position.

 

Enter Jarrad Branthwaite.

Branthwaite had already been making waves before Moyes’ return, but with the Scotsman now at the helm, he has the perfect mentor to take his game to the next level.

 

The towering defender was signed from Carlisle United in January 2020 for a mere £1 million, an investment that now looks like one of the club’s smartest decisions in recent years.

 

At 6 foot 5, Branthwaite is a physically imposing presence at the heart of Everton’s defense.

 

His performances have drawn high praise, with talent scout Jacek Kulig labeling him an “absolute monster” at the back.

 

After a successful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven, where he gained invaluable experience in European football, he returned to Everton and quickly established himself as a key figure in the first team.

 

Now 22, he is one of the club’s most prized assets, and under Moyes’ guidance, his potential could be fully realized.

 

With Everton’s current resurgence, there is an opportunity for him to develop without the immediate pressure of a relegation battle.

 

He has already earned high praise from pundits like Jamie Carragher, who has described him as a “pretty special” talent.

 

If he continues on this trajectory, he could become one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

 

The Looming Transfer Battle

However, just as Rooney was lured away by Manchester United, Branthwaite finds himself at the center of transfer speculation.

 

Last summer, the Red Devils made their interest clear, launching multiple bids in an attempt to sign the young defender.

 

Everton, aware of his immense value, held firm, demanding £75 million—a price United ultimately refused to meet.

 

The Toffees know they have a rare talent on their hands, and with Branthwaite now an England international, his stock is only rising.

 

While United opted not to meet Everton’s valuation last year, reports suggest they remain highly interested and could return with another bid in the near future.

 

If Branthwaite does eventually leave, Everton would undoubtedly secure a hefty fee.

 

But the club must decide whether they want to continue the pattern of selling their best players or take a stand and build their future around the young defender.

 

Everton’s Statement of Intent

Keeping Branthwaite would send a clear message—not just to the Premier League but to the rest of Europe.

 

It would signify that Everton are no longer a selling club, that they are serious about competing at the highest level.

 

Moyes has already started to turn things around, and retaining a player of Branthwaite’s caliber could be the key to sustaining that momentum.

 

If Everton are to truly move forward, they need to build their squad around top-quality players rather than cashing in when big clubs come knocking.

 

Rooney’s departure was a turning point in Everton’s history—one that fans still lament.

 

The club now faces a similar crossroads with Branthwaite.

 

Will history repeat itself, or will Everton finally break the cycle and hold onto their next big star?

 

The decision could define the club’s ambitions for years to come.