Angus is an experienced football journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in Premier League reporting, opinion writing and in-depth football analysis. Since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, he has developed extensive experience covering the English game, producing thousands of articles across a wide range of clubs and competitions.  

Before joining Football FanCast, Angus led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, gaining valuable experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership. He subsequently joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's academy, now part of Valnet, and has progressed into the publication's Opinions and Features team.
 

As one of Football FanCast's longest-serving writers, Angus has covered numerous major developments across the Premier League, combining breaking news experience with detailed features and considered opinions. His work draws on years of reporting to provide context behind performances, transfer activity and the wider issues shaping English football.

David Moyes might be a touch frustrated that the international break is upon us once again. Everton are in fine form, looking toward Europe.

It’s too early to argue that Everton are European contenders, of course. In March 2026, after Chelsea had been beaten 3-0 in the Premier League, the Toffees were a stone throw away from the Champions League, but then they collapsed, winless across those last seven games.

Not the fondest memories, but Evertonians were moodier still at the end of a transfer window which scrapped Moyes’ momentum and forced fans to consider a relegation battle.

Or so it seemed. Everton’s small and close-knit group have been excellent this season, though Moyes does have a problem in the shape of Jack Grealish.

Why Grealish might be finished at Everton

Grealish, 31, excelled out on loan at the Hill Dickinson last season, scoring twice and providing six assists before a foot injury in January curtailed his campaign.

He’s a maverick and one of the most gifted players at the club, but the Manchester City man, on loan at Everton for the second straight season, has been cut from contention following an internal disciplinary process. He missed training after ostensibly enjoying some midweek nights out in London and Cheshire.

Publications such as Football Insider have revealed in November that Grealish may be finished on Merseyside. Even when factoring in the threadbare nature of Moyes’ first-team squad, the damage may be irreparable. His chances of earning a permanent move to the club are almost non-existent at this stage.

It's sad. Moyes was so excited to bring the veteran back into the fold for a second season, but he has let himself and his teammates down.

Thierno Barry’s purple patch and the form of Tyrique George on the left wing have ensured a smooth run without the Three Lions playmaker, but there’s no question Everton would benefit from Grealish on his A-game.

It’s clear that Everton need to bring in a few faces in January, but they might also be considering an even deeper overhaul, with one flop looking as finished as Grealish.

Everton flop is as finished as Jack Grealish

Everton don't exactly have a large squad. Moyes doesn't exactly have the luxury to cut ties with the likes of Grealish, but he will do it for the greater good of the outfit - which, by the way, is thriving against the odds.

With that in mind, it looks like Adam Aznou's career at the Hill Dickinson may already be finished. While the Moroccan left-back is not facing any kind of disciplinary process, he has failed to win over his Scottish manager since joining from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee in 2025, playing only eight minutes of football for the Toffees' senior side last season, against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup.

Moyes - or Everton technical director Angus Kinnear, at least - decided Aznou would be better placed out on loan for the 2026/27 term, shipping him out to Malaga in La Liga and leaving Vitalii Mykolenko isolated as Everton's only option at left-back. Luckily, Mykolenko is enjoying some of the finest form of his Toffees career,

The season is young, but it has not been a strong start from the 20-year-old in La Liga. He was sent off for a succession of yellows in his most recent appearance for Malaga, who went on to lose 2-1 against Racing Santander. This looks like an embattled campaign for that club, who may find that Aznou's youth and inexperience keeps him away from the positive impact he so desperately craves as he looks to kickstart his career.

Though Aznou is a popular figure on Merseyside and has the natural potential to become a player capable of starring for a high-flying Everton side, hailed in the past as the natural Leighton Baines successor by analyst Ben Mattinson, it's not worked out so far, and before long, Moyes and co will need to consider another option at left-back.

Perhaps Everton will want to assist Aznou in his development over the coming years, welcoming him back to Merseyside in 2027 and helping him find the confidence which might secure him a place in Moyes' first-team squad in the future.

However, there is very little evidence to suggest he's anywhere near an Everton revival, with a disastrous start to the season on loan in Spain threatening to see him shipped out alongside Grealish ahead of a big rebuild next year.