Everton's owners justified the club's lack of transfer business in January by insisting the club were keeping their 'powder dry' for the summer. With the summer window having now closed, there's an argument that the squad that finished 13th last season has not been improved sufficiently.

Everton began last season with an aim to remain above danger, but as the season progressed began to look towards Europe. However, one victory from the final eight league games resulted in a 13th-place finish and exposed a lack of squad depth.

Fatigue exposed a squad Moyes used sparingly. Everton conceded 10 goals after the 75th minute during those final eight matches, having kept all 11 of their clean sheets before that sequence began. This summer required more than an eye-catching arrival. Moyes needed alternatives he could trust.

How Far Can Everton Go?

Five points from the opening matches against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Manchester United have given Everton a sound start.

But a chaotic conclusion to the summer window has left Everton badly short. Iliman Ndiaye's sale to Manchester City was an expected blow, but the departures of Adam Aznou and Beto without replacements could prove costly.

Everton have one senior option at right-back, left-back, and centre-forward, and must navigate a busy schedule with limited options.

If Moyes can carry a challenge through winter, add in January, and remain in contention by the spring, the final five fixtures will decide whether the club has genuinely advanced.

Everton begin May away to Fulham before hosting Hull City. They then travel to Chelsea, welcome Arsenal to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and finish at Ipswich. With three sides that are expected to struggle in the final five games, Everton have an opportunity to improve on last season's winless run-in.

Chelsea are likely to occupy the part of the table Everton want to reach and there will be optimism that the trip to Stamford Bridge represents a challenge against a direct European rival.

The travelling Toffees would be especially valuable under those circumstances. Hello Tickets lists the fixture alongside its scheduled date, Stamford Bridge venue information and available ticket options, giving those assessing the trip a single place to check the practical details.

Moyes Has More Authority in Midfield

An area of focus for Everton in the summer was midfield. Idrissa Gueye departed when his contract expired, and Tim Iroegbunam was sold to Hull City.

In terms of arrivals, Hayden Hackney gives Everton a midfielder comfortable receiving the ball under pressure. Christian Nørgaard brings Premier League experience and should reduce the physical burden placed on James Garner, once the former Brentford captain recovers from his early injury trouble.

Merlin Röhl’s loan has become permanent, so Moyes already knows what he is buying. The more consequential decision may prove to be the transfer Everton abandoned. Selling Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest would have generated around £40 million, but keeping the 19-year-old preserves an academy pathway that supporters feared was being traded away.

Those options must lead to greater rotation. Moyes leaned heavily on a small group last season and paid for it during the run-in. He can now rest a midfielder without asking the team to play an entirely different game.

Replacing Ndiaye Requires More Than Numbers

On the right, Brennan Johnson offers direct running and proven Premier League production. The opposite flank could provide Tyrique George with opportunities to attack his full-back, and the 20-year-old has shown encouraging signs across the opening weeks.

A familiar face should also return once the remaining formalities are completed. Jack Grealish produced two goals and six assists in 22 appearances during his first loan spell before a foot injury ended his campaign. His knowledge of Moyes’s demands, coupled with his desire to return, should reduce the usual settling-in period.

Together, those additions provide several wide options without supplying an exact substitute for Ndiaye. The Senegal international could escape pressure in crowded areas and create an opening from unpromising possession. Manchester City’s reported £65 million package represents understandable business, but replacing his influence will require Johnson’s pace to complement Grealish’s control. Asking one player to reproduce everything Ndiaye supplied would be unrealistic.

Balogun collapse leaves Blues' bare

Everton had agreed a fee of around £40 million with Monaco for Folarin Balogun, with personal terms close to being finalised. The 25-year-old scored 19 times for Monaco last season and added three goals for the United States at the World Cup.

However, a dramatic deadline day saw the deal collapse. Issues with the medical and a change of heart from Balogun saw the transfer fall through, leaving Everton without a replacement after Beto was sold to Fiorentina. It leaves massive pressure on the shoulders of Thierno Barry.

The Top Half Is a Fair Demand

Everton also added Ainsley Maitland-Niles in a long-awaited right-back signing. The 29-year-old offers experience and versatility and marked his debut with a goal against Manchester United.

His arrival leaves Everotn looking better equipped at full-back. Europe should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise. New combinations require time and Ndiaye leaves an unusual creative vacancy. Even so, Moyes has greater depth and less reason to run the same players into the ground. Everton have done enough to kick on. The table must now provide the proof.