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David Moyes’ first spell in charge of Everton lasted 12 years, ending in 2013. He certainly left his mark on the football club, helping them to qualify for Europe numerous times during his first stint on Merseyside.

Some iconic players donned that famous Blue shirt in Moyes’ first spell in charge of the Toffees. Wayne Rooney is probably the most famous. Everton’s Scottish boss can take the credit for bringing the former England international into their first team in the first place.

One of the most notable Premier League full-back pairings of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, were also given their first chance under Moyes.

Another player who will live long in the memory of Toffees fans is Tim Cahill.

Cahill’s most iconic moments under Moyes

There is a strong case to be made that former Toffees attacking midfielder Cahill is the greatest Australian footballer of all time. He left a huge stamp on Everton during his 278-game career at Goodison Park.

Every single one of those appearances came under the tutelage of Moyes. The Scot first brought him to Merseyside in the 2004/05 season, and platformed him so well, to the point Cahill left the club with 68 goals and 29 assists, more often than not from the number 10 role.

The Blue Kangaroo, as he was lovingly dubbed during his time on Merseyside, had some iconic moments under Moyes. His first campaign saw him bag 11 Premier League goals, the most he managed during his time at the club.

Who can forget that iconic boxing celebration when he scored, where Cahill would punch the corner flag.

They tended to go hand in hand with his headed efforts, a real trademark of the Australian’s attacking play.

Moyes would surely love to have Cahill in his side today, a player who ‘conjured moments of brilliance when they were needed most’, as Russell Jackson once said in The Guardian.

Well, perhaps there is a player who can replicate his impact.

Moyes’ new Tim Cahill

In their current squad under Moyes, Everton have a few players who can make a real difference. Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye have been the two real standouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season.

Yet, it could be the case that Carlos Alcaraz could be seen as Moyes’ new Cahill, a link that football analyst Ben Mattinson made. The attacking midfielder turned his January loan move permanent this summer and has made a good impact in his short time at the club so far.

The 22-year-old, who earns £20k per week on Merseyside, has featured 23 times for the club so far. In that time, he’s found the back of the net three times and assisted the same number of goals.

He averages a goal or assist every 178 minutes in Blue.

In his first start for Everton, away to Crystal Palace last season, the Argentine “sensation,” as football scout Antonio Mango described him, assisted the first and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory.

There was certainly a little bit of Cahill about that goal, too. Alcaraz followed up a loose ball in the penalty box and smashed home the winner from 12 yards out.

It was a clinical goal, and certainly a brilliant contribution when his side most needed him, just like Cahill used to produce.

The stats from last season further highlight how he can create big moments in the same vein as Cahill.

For example, he averaged 0.7 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 7% of Premier League attacking midfielders.

Alcaraz – 2024/25 PL stats
Stat (per 90)	Number	Percentile vs. attackers
Goals and assists	0.58	82nd
Shots on target	1.4	98th
Passes into penalty area	2.21	88th
Goal-creating actions	0.7	7%
Carries into final third	2.56	88th
Stats from FBref

That goal-creating actions stat, and others, show how well the 22-year-old is always involved in the attacking play for Everton, even if he’s not directly scoring or assisting himself.

The determination with which he plays is certainly similar to Cahill.

Moyes would love a player of Cahill’s profile in his current side. In Alcaraz, he might have that player, who can produce magic moments from nowhere, during this exciting new era at Bramley Moore Dock.

Moyes has unearthed Everton's brand new Fellaini with "enormous potential"

This Everton star could recreate Fellaini’s role under Moyes

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 9, 2025

Baseball is a game of feel.

While the analytics movement has injected the element of numbers into the game, at the end of the day, players and managers still need to trust what their eyes are telling them.

And there was a perfect example of player and manager doing just that during the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto had tossed six no-hit innings and, sitting at 90 pitches, came out to pitch the seventh inning. The Dodgers hurler immediately surrendered a leadoff single to the Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, then after a wild pitch and two outs via ground balls, walked Gabriel Moreno to put runners on first and third with one out.

Given the stakes of the moment and the fact that the Dodgers had lost four straight entering the game, it wouldn't have been surprising to see manager Dave Roberts turn to the bullpen to get out of the jam.

But Roberts, trusting his instincts, locked eyes with Yamamoto from the dugout. The righthander gave him a nod, which Roberts returned.

Here's the cool moment, courtesy of Jacob Brownson on X.

Seeing the exchange, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, on the top step of the dugout ready to emerge for a mound visit, thought better of it.

The gut call from both Yamamoto and Roberts paid off. Yamamoto struck out the next batter, Diamondbacks designated hitter Pavin Smith, on six pitches to end the inning and preserve the Dodgers' lead.

While Los Angeles's bullpen went on to surrender the lead in the top of the ninth and 10th innings, the Dodgers mounted a rally in the bottom half of the 10th to earn the win.

Yamamoto ended up not factoring into the decision, but it was his ability to get out of the seventh inning jam that proved crucial in the game's outcome.

عزز فريق باير ليفركوزن الألماني تقدمه أمام مانشستر سيتي بهدف ثانٍ، خلال مباراة الفريقين بمنافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026.

ويستضيف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين، حيث يستقبل مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي خصمه باير ليفركوزن الألماني، في الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري، لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتمكن باير ليفركوزن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني في شباك مانشستر سيتي، وذلك في الدقيقة 54 من عمر المباراة.

وأحرز باتريك شيك الهدف الثاني لصالح باير ليفركوزن من رأسية سكنت شباك جيمس ترافورد حارس مرمى مانشستر سيتي.

وكان باير ليفركوزن قد تقدم بهدف أول أمام أصحاب الأرض، في الدقيقة 24 عن طريق لاعبه أليكس جريمالدو.

Ex-Everton star Yannick Bolasie has hit out at Gary Neville's punditry, claiming the Manchester United legend "thinks he’s the second coming of Pep Guardiola". Neville was on Sky Sports commentary during the Premier League clash between the Toffees and the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim's side suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss against 10 men.

• Man Utd's unbeaten streak ends

  After a torrid start to their 2025-26 campaign, United began to pick up form in the Premier League as they registered three wins in a row against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. At the start of November, they were held to back-to-back draws by Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. After a five-match unbeaten run, many believed that the days of agony were finally behind United as they were looking like a close-knit unit for the first time in the Amorim era. 

  However, United were brought crashing back down to earth on Monday evening as they went down 1-0 against a 10-man Everton side. Idrissa Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute after he fought with his own team-mate Michael Keane on the pitch. The hosts, though, could not capitalise on their man advantage and instead conceded around the half-hour mark as former Chelsea man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the all-important winning goal.

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  Ex-Everton star slammed Gary Neville

  Former United star Neville, who was on broadcasting duty with Sky Sports for the game, failed to impress ex-Everton and Crystal Palace player Yannick Bolasie with his punditry skills. The 36-year-old Congolese winger took a shot at the Red Devils legend on social media.

  Bolasie wrote on X: "I’m watching this game on mute. I respect opinions but not when he’s giggling all over the mic thinking he’s the second coming of guardiola, allow it…great player but the tactics give it a rest laaaad."

• Amorim wished United played like Everton

  Amorim was understandably unhappy with the team's performance at home against a team reduced to 10 men as he went on to claim that United deserved to lose, while heaping praise on David Moyes' side for showing fighting spirit.

  After the game, the Portuguese coach told reporters: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect. I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Are United ready to challenge for a top five finish?

  United had the perfect opportunity to reclaim their place among the top five teams in the Premier League after Bournemouth dropped points against West Ham, Arsenal thrashed Tottenham in the north London derby and both Liverpool and Manchester City lost their respective fixtures. However, with the lost against Everton, United have dropped to 10th.

  Amorim admitted that United are still not ready to challenge the elite teams in the division. The Portuguese added: "It is my responsibility to explain the game, and today, it was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team. The way we saw the results of the weekend. We should get inside the pitch with a different level of excitement, that is, that is my feeling. It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling and Old Trafford was there, saying we are all here to give a big step up, and I felt that we were not ready again."

  The Red Devils next face Crystal Palace in a difficult away fixture on Sunday in the Premier League. 

There was a sour note at the end of Chelsea's commanding 3-0 win over manager-less Wolves after star midfielder Enzo Fernandez revealed he's been playing with a worrying injury, which has ruled him out of playing for Argentina. Fernandez put in a top shift for the Blues, but delivered a concerning update which means he will miss the forthcoming international matches against Angola.

• Commanding performance as Chelsea beat Wolves

  Despite a frustrating first-half at Stamford Bridge, Fernadez was instrumental in providing the creative spark needed to break down the visitors' compact defence after the break. Fernandez earned the Premier League player-of-the-match award, controlling the tempo from the midfield with impressive passing range and vision. His work allowed other players to thrive, with Malo Gusto scoring his first goal for Chelsea in his 98th appearance for the club and Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto also found the back of the net in the second half. Fernandez's leadership was crucial in turning a difficult match into a comfortable win for the Blues, which moved them up to second in the table, but there was worrying injury news after the match.

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  'It's good to make this decision together'

  However, the midfielder revealed post-match that he has been struggling with an injury and will rest over the next couple of weeks. Fernandez said: "I will not be available with Argentina. I was just talking to the medical team because I had a problem with my knee in the last four months. I came with a bone edema that got worse in the last weeks and months because we played a lot of games. I think the most important thing is coming to the end of the season and I think it's good to make this decision together. Always respecting the doctors and everything."

• Boss praises Blues threats

  Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was happy to have seen the goals spread around the team, with Gusto's strike particularly pleasing. The Italian said: "Finally. Malo was close so many times and we like full-backs attacking and arriving inside the box. Last year, it (scoring goals) happened many times with Marc Cucurella. Tonight, Malo scored to help the team because that goal opened up the game a little bit. So we are very happy for Malo."

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  More injury concerns for Maresca

  Fernandez wasn’t the only injury concern on the evening as Moises Caicedo was spotted limping at one stage. Maresca said of the Ecuadorian: "He was OK, just a kick in the first half in his knee. But he finished the game and I asked him after the game and he was ok. Pedro Neto and Fernandez did ask for a change, Pedro for the groin problem and Enzo for the knee, so we will have to see how they are."

  The timing of injury news comes as clubs head into another international break, giving Fernandez time to recover and rest his injured knee, but there's a packed schedule facing the Blues when domestic football returns. The Blues have an away game against Burnley on November 22 before the massive home Champions League clash with Barcelona on November 25 and a London derby with title-race frontrunners Arsenal at Stamford Bridge concludes the month. The December festive period is packed with league matches including Leeds United and Everton, plus a Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Cardiff City.

Arsenal secured a seventh consecutive victory and extended their lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend, but not everyone was happy with what they saw at the Emirates.

The Gunners appear in unstoppable form and they capitalised on a weekend where Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost by securing a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace to cement their status as the current favourites to win the title.

Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice were sensational in the win, as was Jurrien Timber, who is fast becoming the standout right-back in world football.

The Netherlands international however called for calm ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash against Brighton: “It is good to stay neutral, and not to get too high.

“Obviously, we’ve been doing well, but it’s still early in the season, and we just have to keep getting better game by game.

“The next game is already in three days, which is a (Carabao) Cup match (against Brighton), and the next Premier League game (against Burnley) is going to be tough as well.

“So, let’s keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard, and then from there, we’ll see what happens.”

Stelling reveals he turned TV off during Arsenal win over Palace

Arsenal’s bid to land their first league title in 22 years has been built on a remarkable defence which has shipped just three goals, and only one from open play, in their 13 fixtures across all competitions.

They have of course dominated in the opposition box as well, scoring just five of their 16 league goals from open play, and former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling was disgusted by the lack of expansive football during the win over Palace.

“They can’t keep relying on set plays, they just can’t,” he said on talkSPORT on Monday morning.

He continued: “I love some of the Arsenal players, I love Saka, I love Odegaard, I love Eze. But please, please be just a bit more expansive. I mean watching Arsenal against Palace, was watching paint dry. It was purgatory. I started watching that match, and I had enough of it before they had a shot. I’d turned over by then, to watch Villa versus City, which was a much better game.”

Arsenal’s clean sheet against Palace was their fifth in succession, And Timber is proud of their tough to play against style: “Everyone plays a part in it, but it’s a good thing and a good foundation to build on.

“From that standard, you just have to keep getting better and be consistent in what we do, and then throughout the whole season, hopefully we’ll turn it into something beautiful.

“It gives you confidence and it shows that we’re doing really well, and also, if it’s for multiple games in a row, it says something about consistency.

“We just have to keep improving, and look at what we can do better, but also take that feeling with you, that confidence and go into the next game with the same mindset.”

Mikel Arteta awaits news on injuries sustained to William Saliba, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, which is perhaps the only damp spot on an otherwise flawless October for the Gunners.

Lionesses starlet Michelle Agyemang has suffered a torn ACL, it has been announced. It's a diagnosis which confirms the worst fears of the teenager after she was stretchered off with a knee injury during England's 3-0 win over Australia on Tuesday night and one that spells the end of her 2025-26 season, which she had started well on loan at Brighton again from Arsenal.

Official: Agyemang's season is over after ACL diagnosis

Many feared an ACL injury would be the outcome when Agyemang went down off the ball during the Lionesses' friendly at Derby County's Pride Park on Tuesday. It's something which is unfortunately extremely prevalent in the women's game, with England team-mates Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly among the many stars in the sport to have had to endure the long road to recovery it entails. In the best cases, it can take around nine months for a player to return from this setback, though the likes of Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario, who both spent closer to two years on the sidelines, can attest to the fact that it is not always that straightforward.

AdvertisementAgyemang's first words after devastating injury news

In a post on Instagram confirming the news, Agyemang wrote: "Disappointed that results show a torn ACL. I am so grateful for all the kind words and the support from everyone. Recovery starts now, I will be back stronger than before. In all things I give thanks to the most high God, this test will surely turn into a testimony."

Statements from England, Arsenal and Brighton added words of support for the 19-year-old. "As a member of the Lionesses family, she has the full support of the FA and everyone associated with our England teams," the Football Association's update said. "Lionesses staff will remain in regular contact with Michelle and her club and be on hand to aid any aspect of her rehabilitation."

Arsenal and Brighton, meanwhile, both wrote that the clubs are "in close contact" as they strive to "determine a treatment and recovery programme for Michelle".

Huge blow to England, Brighton & Agyemang sours teenager's incredible 2025

The news is a serious blow to all parties. Agyemang has emerged as a game-changing talent for England in what has been an incredible six months for the forward. After scoring 41 seconds into her international debut back in April, which only came about after the Lionesses' squad was hit hard by injuries during that camp, she was then included in the squad for the European Championship and would score in both the quarter-finals and the semi-finals on her way to becoming a European champion and being named the Young Player of the Tournament. She looked set to only add to that experience and continue her growth as a talented prospect over the next few months, but will now be sidelined for a significant period instead in what is a horrible way for what had been an excellent year to end.

Agyemang will miss out on those development opportunities at club level, too. Despite some believing her breakthrough at Euro 2025 could be the springboard for a greater role at Arsenal this season, the teenager returned to Brighton on loan for the 2025-26 campaign, a move which guaranteed more game time and, with it, chances to learn. It felt like the right decision for all parties and the early knockings of this season seemed to confirm as much. Now, though, her focus will turn to an entirely different challenge which lays ahead in what is also a real blow for a Brighton side she has been a central figure in.

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Getty Images SportWhat research is being done into ACL injuries in women's football?

This devastating news only reaffirms what a huge problem ACL injuries are in the women's game and how important it is for more research to be done in trying to prevent them from happening as incredibly frequently as they are. FIFA is funding a year-long study at Kingston University London into the issue, which began back in May, while England star Lucy Bronze is one of those who has shown support for 'Project ACL', a collaborative effort between FIFPRO, the PFA, Nike and Leeds Beckett University to accelerate research on the injury. 

"Project ACL is important because we need to start fine-tuning the information that we're putting out," Bronze said of the three-year task. "There is already research, but I think there's just so much talk and a lot of wrong information out there. There isn't a quick fix to eradicate ACL injuries in women's football. We need to finely tune research so that we can identify the key factors."

The sooner that happens, the better it will be for the entirety of the women's game as it watches yet another player, in Agyemang, fall victim to a setback that continues to impact far too many.

Arsenal continued their strong run of form in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta’s side played host to Greek outfit Olympiacos and picked up their second win of the campaign.

The Gunners ran out 2-0 winners in the end, and while they could have scored plenty more, the visitors put up more of a fight than some would have been expecting.

With that said, almost everyone who featured for the hosts put in a strong showing, including someone who could end up becoming a new Bukayo Saka for Arsenal.

Saka's rise at Arsenal

Saka was handed his Arsenal debut by former manager Unai Emery back in November 2018. He came off the bench in a game away to Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava, and then made his full debut for the club a few months later at home against Qarabağ.

However, while the Hale Ender showed some real promise early on, he didn’t make all that many appearances under the now Aston Villa coach.

In fact, before Arteta was appointed in December 2019, the dynamic winger had made just 16 appearances for the first team, most of which came on the left-hand side, either in left midfield or at left-back.

Fortunately, the 24-year-old began to be moved over to the right more in the following campaign, and by the start of the 2021/22 season, he was well and truly established as the Gunners’ first-choice right-winger.

More than that, though, the youngster would then develop into the team’s most important attacking outlet, a role he still fulfils to this day, as reflected in his incredible numbers.

For example, despite still being only 24 years old, the talismanic winger has made 269 appearances for the North Londoners to date, scoring 72 goals and providing 72 assists.

Unfortunately, with him being so key to the club’s attacking threat, the last couple of years have seen opposition teams double and triple up on him, making it far harder for the incredible talent to create opportunities for Arteta and Co.

Appearances

269

Starts

233

Minutes

20358′

Goals

72

Assists

72

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

Minutes per Goal Involvement

141.37

The good news is that Arsenal have added more quality to the side to help mitigate that problem, including someone who could be like a new Saka for the side.

The Arsenal star becoming a new Saka

Arteta and Andrea Berta did well to add a few new attacking talents to this Arsenal squad over the summer, from the direct and tricky Noni Madueke to the versatile and mercurial Eberechi Eze.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, when it comes to the player who has the best chance of embodying some of the things that make Saka such a star for this team, it has to be Viktor Gyokeres.

Now, some of you will rightly point out that the pair play in different positions, and that, as things stand, the former Sporting CP star has not scored as many goals as some would’ve hoped.

Yet, there are still elements in his game that are similar to the Hale Ender’s, most notably his gravitational effect on the game.

That might sound like an odd way to talk about a footballer, but this essentially means that, just as the Englishman has spent the last few years being double and triple-teamed by defenders, the Swedish international is already dragging opposition defenders all over the pitch this season.

He might not be scoring with the regularity that some would like, but the 6 foot 2 “powerhouse”, as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, is already starting to make the right runs, get into the correct positions, and this, combined with the fact that he has a lethal shot on him, means that defenders cannot leave him alone.

This was on full display on Wednesday night, particularly for the first goal, as his charge towards the penalty area saw two defenders converge on him and left space for Gabriel Martinelli to tap the ball into the back of the net after his shot was saved.

Just imagine the gravitational impact he’s going to have on defenders when he’s up to speed and putting away the chances so many know he can.

Ultimately, Gyokeres isn’t on the same level as Saka and has plenty of differences in his game with the Englishman.

However, he is one of the few players capable of striking a similar level of fear into opponents and one of the few attackers who’ll force them to converge on him.

Outclassed by Odegaard: Arteta must drop Arsenal dud who lost the ball 14x

Arsenal secured a 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 2, 2025

GOAL ranks the top soccer players from each of the country's four regions, including USMNT players both past and present

From Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to Brian McBride and Christian Pulisic, decades of groundwork have given rise to great American soccer players. With the 2026 World Cup less than nine months away, the United States has steadily progressed into a genuine force in the global soccer scene. 

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? And who were some of the top players from those soccer-rich states that didn't make the cut in the top of three, given the stiff competition?

GOAL ranked the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states, and now ranks the best from each region.

STATE RANKINGS: Northeast | South | Midwest | West

Getty ImagesNortheast: Christian Pulisic

Hometown: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Clubs played for: Dortmund, Chelsea, AC Milan

USMNT caps: 80

Why he's No. 1: The East is arguably America's premier soccer region when it comes to producing talent. From legendary players such as Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore to Bruce Arena, a Hall of Fame manager, the region is stacked. What sets Pulisic apart is his unprecedented club success in Europe. 

He is the face of AC Milan, traditionally one of Europe's top six clubs, and he's the only player U.S. player to win the Champions League. While his USMNT legacy might not be as strong as some of the legends, his talent is undeniable. As analyst and former USMNT star Stu Holden once said, success seems inevitable for the 27-year-old. 

"I think he'll go down as the best U.S. Soccer player by the time he's done, and he might be already in terms of what he's achieved on the club level," Holden told GOAL. "Talent alone, he will be the best U.S. Soccer player of all-time." 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidwest: Brian McBride

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Clubs played for: Wolfsburg, Columbus Crew, Preston North End, Everton, Fulham, Chicago Fire 

USMNT caps: 96

Why he's No. 1: The race for best player in the Midwest involves three players: Brian McBride, Tim Ream, and Cobi Jones. While Jones is widely considered to be a top-five all-time USMNT player, Ream has also had long-term success, largely in England's second division, and a late career breakout.

But ultimately, it's McBride, who is neck and neck with Altidore as the best striker in national team history. 

McBride was a revolutionary talent for the USMNT, playing in three World Cups and becoming the first American to score in two tournaments. On the club level, it's hard to imagine Pulisic or Clint Dempsey being entrusted to be the faces of European clubs without McBride blazing the trail.

He is the first American with back-to-back double-digit scoring seasons, accomplishing that in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns for Fulham. The striker's work rate and role in keeping Fulham in England's top flight during his five seasons for the club elevated him to iconic status – he even had a bar named after him at Craven Cottage.

Getty Images SportSouth: Clint Dempsey

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

Clubs played for: New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham 

USMNT caps: 141

Why he's No. 1: Clint Dempsey's path to success wasn't always easy. He grew up in a small town, 140 miles from Houston. Dempsey famously mentioned if it wasn't for his parents driving hours at time to attend camps and practices, he wouldn't have been a professional player. Thankfully for U.S. fans, they did. 

Dempsey wasn't fleet of foot, didn't have a locked-in position, and wasn't necessarily prolific at any particular skill, but as Arena famously once said "He tries sh*t." The Texan was gritty, relentless, and persistently had a chip on his shoulder that helped him to defy the odds. 

He once famously used criticism from then-manager Roy Hodgson as motivation to help Fulham – traditionally one of European soccer's smallest clubs – stun Italian powerhouse Juventus in the Europa League with arguably the best goal scored by an American on the continent.

The goal, a lobbed chip, had no business going in. But it did. In many ways, that moment was symbolic of Dempsey's career. He also had incredible success on the national team, winning three Gold Cups. He is on the short list of America's greatest soccer players. 

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AFPWest: Landon Donovan

Hometown: Ontario, California

Clubs played for: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, Leon

USMNT caps: 157

Why he's No. 1: Dempsey has a case. So does Pulisic. But in the end, Donovan is the best player in American soccer history, due to his consistent success on the national team level, paired with his dominance in MLS. At the peak of his powers, Donovan was the face of U.S. Soccer, a box office draw that put fans in seats.

He is tied with Dempsey for all-time national goals with 57 and holds the record for assists with 58 – the next closest is Michael Bradley with 22. Donovan had a way of delivering in key moments for the U.S., from the Go Go USA goal against Algeria to a being a consistent thorn in Mexico's side over nearly two decades. 

Yes, there's an argument that he should have tested himself more on the global stage, instead choosing to stay in MLS while others continually played in Europe. And he frustrated some with his decision to retire from international soccer, and then try to play in the 2014 World Cup.

But ultimately, he is the closest thing the U.S. had to a world-class outfield player – with Pulisic still in contention to take that title. 

Everton’s summer transfer business under David Moyes highlighted a clear shift in strategy.

The club, once notorious for muddled recruitment, has embraced a more balanced approach.

They have successfully combined headline signings like Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea with some of the brightest young prospects in Europe.

Yet as Everton now put increased emphasis on developing youth talent, it also brings into focus the players they may have let go too soon.

History shows that some departures from Goodison Park have gone on to flourish elsewhere, leaving fans wondering what might have been.

Moise Kean is one of the most prominent examples but he’s not the only one finding form on the continent

Former Everton stars finding form in Italy

When Everton signed Moise Kean from Juventus in 2019, he was hailed as one of the most exciting teenage strikers in Europe.

A product of Italy’s most successful club, Kean arrived at Goodison Park with expectations that he could spearhead the Toffees’ attack for years to come.

But his time on Merseyside never quite clicked.

Across 39 appearances, the Italian managed just four goals and two assists, struggling to adapt to the physicality and pace of the Premier League.

After a series of loan moves – including stints at PSG and back at Juventus – Everton eventually cut their losses, sanctioning a permanent return to Turin in 2023.

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A year later, Kean moved on again, this time joining Fiorentina.

It proved the making of him. During the 2024/25 Serie A season, he scored 19 goals and registered three assists in 32 appearances, finishing as the league’s second-highest scorer behind Mateo Retegui.

The numbers underline just how much Kean has developed since leaving England.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 86th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.58), the 87th percentile for total shots per 90 (3.39), and the 92nd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 (1.47).

Once criticised for inconsistency, Kean has matured into a forward capable of deciding matches, combining sharp finishing with the ability to carry the ball past defenders.

While Kean may not have thrived at Goodison, his resurgence elsewhere in Italy suggests the raw ability was always there.

Not just Kean: Ex-Toffee is now emulating Europe's elite

Signed from Charlton in 2017, Ademola Lookman made 48 appearances for Everton, contributing two goals and one assist.

Despite flashes of promise, he was often used sparingly, and in 2019, he left permanently for RB Leipzig.

Since then, Lookman has become one of the most exciting forwards in European football.

Now starring at Atalanta, the Nigerian has earned widespread acclaim, even being nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

His crowning moment came when he scored a stunning hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, dismantling Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen to secure the trophy for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.

Journalist Oma Akatugba has gone so far as to describe him as “one of the best forwards in Europe.”

The statistics back up the claim and even place him stylistically alongside elite attackers like Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, according to data-led website, FBRef.

In terms of output, Lookman registered 20 goal involvements last season, compared with Salah’s 47 and Isak’s 29.

2024/25 Season

Stat

Isak

Salah

Lookman

Matches Played

34

38

31

Goals

23

29

15

Assists

6

18

5

Source: FBref

While he lags behind in sheer numbers, his playing profile shares striking similarities.

He averaged 3.24 shots per 90 (almost identical to Salah at 3.23 and Isak at 3.10) and produced 1.28 shots on target per 90, just shy of Salah’s 1.33 and Isak’s 1.34.

His efficiency in front of goal is also comparable, with a 39.5% shot accuracy rate, while Salah managed 41.3% and Isak 43.2%.

Where Lookman truly stands out is in ball progression.

He recorded 5.68 progressive carries per 90, significantly higher than Salah (4.13) and Isak (2.71), underlining his ability to drive forward with the ball.

His passing numbers are similarly impressive: 27.4 completed passes per 90 with a 72.5% success rate, both superior to Salah’s 23.8 at 70.6%.

He also excels creatively, ranking above both with 5.41 shot-creating actions per 90, compared to Salah’s 4.51 and Isak’s 3.01.

Defensively, Lookman contributes too. He ranked higher than both Isak and Salah for tackles in the attacking third (0.32 per 90), reflecting his pressing intensity and commitment off the ball.

The comparisons do not suggest that Lookman is at the same world-class level as Salah or that he matches Isak’s physical presence, but they do show how his game has evolved elsewhere into a blend of goals, creativity, and defensive work – the very traits Everton fans craved during his time at Goodison.

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