Everton Unbeaten in Six: Garner England Call, Ndiaye Injury & January Striker Talk
Unbeaten start continues
Everton are enjoying one of their strongest starts to a top-flight season in years. The Toffees are five Premier League games in and still unbeaten, having collected nine points from their opening fixtures. Their most recent league outing β a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the Hill Dickinson Stadium β sent them into the international break in high spirits. Before that, a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United on 6 September caught the attention of the whole country: new signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles came off the bench to fire in a stunning stoppage-time equaliser β in the 96th minute on his debut β after Benjamin Sesko had headed United in front with barely two minutes left. They also beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in the Carabao Cup on 16 September, booking their place in the next round.
Injury concern: Ndiaye ruled out of internationals
There is a fitness worry for manager David Moyes heading into this week's international fixtures. Iliman Ndiaye has been ruled out of Senegal's two friendlies during the current break because of a foot injury. The nature and timeline of the knock has not been fully confirmed, but his absence will be a concern given how important the Senegalese winger has been to Everton's attack this season.
Manager & legend speak out
David Moyes has spoken publicly about the need for his squad to keep fighting, saying he must "live with disappointments" while urging his players to "muck in" β a rallying call made in the wake of the dramatic United draw. Meanwhile, Everton legend Tim Cahill has backed the club's American ownership, the Friedkin Group, saying they have the best interests of Everton at heart, in an interview published on 23 September. Cahill also drew comparisons between midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and himself, praising the energy the ex-Leicester man brings to the box.
James Garner earns England call-up
In a proud moment for Everton, midfielder James Garner has been included in Thomas Tuchel's England setup for the first time, named in an expanded 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The call-up is reward for his solid form in an Everton shirt and vindicates the club's decision to keep him despite reported Chelsea interest on deadline day.
Transfer talk
The summer window is firmly shut β it closed on 1 September 2026 β but January is already becoming a talking point at Goodison. Everton completed a busy summer that included the Β£22 million arrival of Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace (with Dwight McNeil going the other way), a Β£21 million permanent deal for German midfielder Merlin RΓΆhl from Freiburg, and the summer loan of Jack Grealish from Manchester City. Ainsley Maitland-Niles also signed permanently from Lyon. However, the striker position was left unresolved after a move for US international Folarin Balogun collapsed on deadline day β Monaco's CEO confirmed Balogun felt "mistreated" after Everton raised medical concerns. Fan sites and pundits are now warning that Moyes cannot afford to let that issue linger into January, with a new centre-forward seen as the number one priority when the mid-season window opens on 1 January 2027. (Note: No specific January targets have been named β all striker links remain rumour and speculation at this stage.)
