In The Athletic, Adam Crafton secured a wide-ranging interview with David Moyes in the USA as he struggles to balance his wishes for the Everton squad going forward with the constraints of various types that are limiting team rebuilding amidst challenging pre-season preparations for the new campaign.
During this interview, Moyes details how pre-seasons have changed during his career — from players running laps wearing “bin bags” to “everything now being done with the ball” — while spelling out the need for many more signings if Everton are to build on his encouraging return to the club last season.
“The club are trying really hard to get the players I want and I’ve found it really difficult because in my last few years (in his previous job at West Ham United), I’ve been involved in European competition. It’s a bit easier when you’re a club in Europe. You get a better chance of attracting a lot of players. We’ve been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot them have said no at the moment.”
In respect of pre-season training: “I have mellowed over time but it’s still our job to get players in a condition where they can run with the opposition and ensure physically they’re not going to be outdone,” he says. “It plays a big part in modern football. The boys at Everton were already well-versed in being fit and healthy because they needed to be. With respect, we probably didn’t have the quality, but we tried to meet most of it with other elements, and that’s part of football as well.”