da aviator aposta： David Moyes is a resourceful manager. He’s been around the block, and he knows how to get the best out of his Everton team.

da casino： Sunday’s hard-fought win over Aston Villa at Villa Park underlined his credentials, and while the 62-year-old hardly needs to prove himself to anyone, he has turned things around for the Merseysiders, who are no longer relegation battlers but outsiders in the packed Premier League race for European qualification.

The depleted squad will be augmented soon. Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye will return from AFCON as champions. Jarrad Branthwaite, Carlos Alcaraz and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are working hard to return from respective layoffs. Michael Keane has another match to go until he fulfils his suspension.

Could Moyes turn to the transfer market? Goals are the order of the day for the Toffees, but they are ready to pounce on a midfield upgrade too, should one materialise.

Everton targeting new midfielder

Moyes has fashioned a strong and dynamic central midfield at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the likes of James Garner going from strength to strength since the Scotsman’s arrival just over a year ago.

But Everton could do with some more depth, especially if they want to cling onto their slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.

Along with a striker, the Friedkin Group have identified a Championship superstar as the perfect man to complete the engine room.

Indeed, according to Caught Offside, Middlesbrough have informed a growing number of suitors, including Everton, that Hayden Hackney will cost £30m, an asking price that they do not expect clubs to meet.

It is a bit of a costly figure, but the 23-year-old is quickly emerging as one of the most underrated English talents in the country, and Everton may see an opening following Tottenham’s recent signing of Conor Gallagher, thus cooling their interest.

What Hayden Hackney would bring to Everton

Hackney has featured 142 times for the seniors since graduating from Middlesbrough’s academy, having scored 14 goals and supplied 15 assists in all competitions.

He is technically gifted and dynamic, hailed by former boss Michael Carrick for his “immense” League Cup display against Chelsea in 2024.

Interchangeable as a central midfielder, Hackney would add creativity and progression to Moyes’ midfield while adding a combative element too. In this, he is not too dissimilar from Garner, and he might even be a bigger talent than his compatriot.

Garner has raised his game to another level this season, but Hackney has already reached a surpassing standard in the second tier, yet to earn a chance in the Premier League.

In some ways, that’s a double-edged sword, but Hackney has done nothing to suggest he doesn’t have what it takes, a veritable machine at the heart of an impressive Boro system.

To perform strongly in the Championship is one thing, but to translate that form onto England’s biggest stage is another. Still, Hackney’s passing is his forte, but an active focus on defensive metrics underlines his potential for the Premier League and Everton.

League Stats 25/26 – Hackney vs Garner

Stats (* per game)

Hackney

Garner

Matches (starts)

27 (27)

22 (22)

Goals + Assists

3 + 5

2 + 3

Touches*

82.9

67.9

Accurate passes*

52.9 (86%)

39.8 (88%)

Chances created*

1.9

1.2

Dribbles*

1.3

0.6

Ball recoveries*

5.5

5.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.4

4.4

Duels won*

4.7

5.3

Data via Sofascore

There is definitely a likeness between him and Garner, who is “developing into one of the league’s top midfielders”, according to content creator Callum Castel.

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Hackney could follow suit, jumping into Moyes’ system. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 3% of Championship midfielders this season for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90.

Everton are subtly shifting under Moyes’ wing. The veteran manager is still rooted in his pragmatic principles, but he’s been adaptable and progressive since returning to Liverpool, adding a degree of flair that has been missing for some time at Everton.

Hackney, hungry to succeed and full of fresh ideas, could be the missing link in a midfield that has already gone from strength to strength.

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