When Beto first arrived at Goodison Park in 2023, there was genuine optimism among fans. His size, power, and history of disruptive forward play promised a fresh dimension to Everton’s attack. Yet that early hope fizzled out somewhat during Sean Dyche’s tenure. Limited game time and Dyche’s reluctance to tailor tactics to Beto’s physical style left the Portuguese striker looking like a square peg in a round hole—his technical shortcomings magnified by a system that never quite played to his strengths.
Fast-forward to January 2025, and with David Moyes back at the helm, the contrast in approach is already evident. Rather than forcing Beto to fit into an unyielding formation, Moyes has begun to tweak the system—granting the target man more support from midfield and licence to play in the areas where he’s truly effective. It’s a shift that could tap into the same managerial nous that helped transform Yakubu into a devastating goal-scorer years ago.
Renewed Hope Under Moyes
1. System Tweaks
Moyes’s mantra has always hinged on maximising the strengths of his centre-forward. We saw it when he gave Yakubu the freedom to drop deep, spin off defenders, and capitalise on quick support from midfield. Now, in Beto, Moyes sees a similarly powerful focal point who thrives on direct service and well-timed through-balls. By adjusting team shape and encouraging more vertical, faster transitions, the manager is creating environments where Beto’s imposing attributes can be unleashed.
2. Emphasis on Delivery
One of the biggest critiques during Dyche’s reign was the lack of tailored supply to Beto’s feet or into channels he could attack. Moyes, however, believes in providing plenty of crosses and incisive passes—something that’s already begun paying dividends, if Beto’s link-up with James Garner is anything to go by. Garner’s superb through-ball for Beto’s Leicester goal exemplified the type of direct, purposeful service the striker needs to flourish.
Overcoming Early Doubts
Initially, supporters welcomed Beto with open arms, expecting an immediate impact. When that spark didn’t materialise under Dyche, criticisms about his first touch and composure began to surface. Yet as many robust strikers have shown over the years, even a slight tactical tweak can convert “technical limitations” into hidden strengths.
- Physical Dominance: Beto’s towering frame and willingness to scrap can be a nightmare for defenders, provided he’s not left isolated up top. Moyes’s recent adjustments, ensuring midfield runners and wide players push closer to him, prevent the kind of lone-battle scenarios that once hindered his contribution.
- Movement in the Channels: He may not be a dribbling wizard, but Beto’s direct running is extremely effective when given space to exploit. Under Moyes, overlapping full-backs and quicker midfield transitions are creating those gaps he can surge into.
James Garner’s Influence
No discussion of Beto’s resurgence would be complete without mentioning James Garner. The young midfielder has emerged as a key provider, capable of fizzing through-balls between the lines or sending inviting crosses from deep. His pinpoint assist against Leicester was arguably one of the finest passes seen at Goodison in recent memory. Where Dyche’s approach rarely saw Garner afforded the freedom to pick out those runs, Moyes’s system encourages him to scan for Beto’s bursts and feed the ball early.
What’s Next for Beto?
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out and Chermiti still troubled by fitness concerns, Beto is not just an option—he’s THE option. The one recognised senior striker in the squad shoulders the burden of delivering goals. It’s a significant responsibility, but one that could prove formative:
- Confidence Building: Goals beget confidence, and confidence begets more goals. The more Beto features in a system that suits him, the likelier he’ll be to bury the criticism over his perceived technical flaws.
- Growing Partnership: Iliman Ndiaye’s skill, Garner’s vision, and the soon-to-debut Carlos Alcaraz could form a creative network behind Beto. Should those connections strengthen, Beto’s role as the focal point grows ever more potent.
From Underdog to Undeniable?
David Moyes is no stranger to nurturing strikers who were initially doubted or misunderstood. Yakubu’s story stands as a testament: once given a framework that complemented his style, he became one of Everton’s most feared forwards in recent history. Beto may not be precisely the same type of player, but the common denominator is a manager who knows how to empower a bruising forward.
A few good performances won’t erase all scepticism, but the signals are encouraging. By granting Beto a consistent run of matches and shaping tactics around his physical gifts, Moyes is already reigniting the early optimism that surrounded Beto’s signing. If he continues to prove his worth—bagging goals, unsettling defences, and linking effectively with Garner and co.—we might just see a fully realised version of the striker many at Goodison Park hoped for from the outset.
Time will tell if he can repay the renewed faith of the fans and manager alike. But one thing is certain: Beto is no longer that peripheral understudy. Under Moyes’s guidance, he has every chance to step out of the shadows and become a force to be reckoned with in Everton’s front line.
Feed Beto and he will score!