David Moyes admits European ambition as Everton eye bold 2026 push

David Moyes has admitted he has already thought about the challenge of returning Everton to European competition, even while acknowledging the reality of a small, stretched squad as the Blues begin 2026 in contention near the top end of the Premier League table.

Everton start the New Year in eighth place, just two points off the top five, with a run of fixtures that offers genuine opportunity. For Moyes, the prospect of European football is both enticing and daunting — but not something he believes Everton should shy away from if progress continues.

Speaking candidly, David Moyes revealed he has considered whether success could come “too soon” for a squad that is already being pushed to its limits.

“I've thought about it,” Moyes said. “Sometimes you can [make progress too quickly]. I would love to get Everton back to Europe. I'd love to do it, and probably sooner rather than later, personally.

“But there is a bit of me saying: ‘Are we ready to be playing Thursday, Sundays?’”

Despite those concerns, Moyes made it clear that ambition should not be capped artificially, even if the logistical demands of European football would require another major step forward.

Everton’s league position has been built despite severe constraints. Injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Seamus Coleman, Carlos Alcaraz and Michael Keane, combined with Africa Cup of Nations absences for Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, have left Moyes operating with minimal margin for error.

That shortage was laid bare at Nottingham Forest in midweek, when Moyes named four academy players and two goalkeepers on the bench. Yet a remarkable victory at the City Ground only strengthened Everton’s push towards the European places.

“It looks a million miles away at the moment,” Moyes cautioned. “We only need to lose two or three games and you could be saying how we need to stay away from the big R-word at the bottom.”

Moyes drew on his own history when weighing up the risk-versus-reward balance. He previously guided West Ham United into Europe and ultimately lifted the Europa Conference League, despite doubts over readiness.

“I got West Ham there and I didn’t think we were ready either,” he admitted. “But we had to find a way of getting through it and we did, in the main.

“That’s the plan — if we can try and do it.”

The comparison offers a blueprint, but Moyes stressed that Everton would need further evolution to cope with the demands of midweek European football.

Much of Everton’s resurgence has been underpinned by off-field stability following the takeover by The Friedkin Group, completed in December 2024.

That change allowed Moyes to oversee a transformative first summer, with nine signings arriving and more than £100m invested — including the headline loan move for Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

However, Moyes is acutely aware that the lingering effects of austerity under previous ownership still shape the squad’s depth today.

While Moyes does not believe Everton are currently equipped for Champions League football, he sees qualification for one of UEFA’s secondary competitions as a realistic and worthwhile target — provided standards remain high.

“If we do make one of the other competitions, are we ready to cope with that amount?” he asked. “That would need another big step again.”

For now, Everton’s focus remains on maintaining momentum and surviving a punishing winter schedule, but the idea of Europe is no longer theoretical.

Everton face key fixtures against Brentford and bottom-of-the-table Wolves, with positive results potentially cementing their European credentials. As players return from injury, Moyes will look to balance ambition with sustainability during a critical phase of the season.

Should Everton push aggressively for Europe this season — or is consolidation the smarter step before taking on continental football again?