Everton's four best players this season named, expert reveals who could be axed

David Moyes will hope that the international break has not killed the strong momentum Everton were building.

That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The Toffees won their last two games before the break, and remain unbeaten in seven games across all competitions so far this season.

In many eyes, Everton and Moyes are succeeding against the odds so far this season, with the summer transfer window having left gaps in the squad.

Thierno Barry is the only recognised striker at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and there is a severe lack of depth in a defence that feels as if it could fall apart with a few mistimed injuries.

Everton made some good business in the summer, too, however, with Jack Grealish's return providing a boost while the £4million signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles has looked more and more ingenious by the day.

'They have a good thing going at Everton'

10 Everton players headed for international duty last week, but Moyes will have been glad to keep the likes of Grealish and Barry on Merseyside.

Avoiding injuries will be a key factor for the Toffees this season, or, at least, until the January transfer window.

"They've had a good start. The thing that's disrupted Everton at the moment is the international break," King told Football Insider.

"They seem to have a good thing going on at Everton. They're not pulverising sides, but they're getting results. They've got quite settled 13, 14 players at the moment. 

"Why would you want to drop any? I think a good boost is when they brought in Grealish, of course. They do work hard."

Asked for his standouts, King said: "Straight away, I'd say the centre-half who's come back in, [Jarrad] Branthwaite, he has done well. The two midfield players, [James] Garner and Harrison Armstrong, they've done well.

"And the boy Barry is starting to score goals. So you have to say that they've all been bright spots in a good Everton start."

Everton set for injury boosts

Merlin Rohl had started the season performing well at right-back before he was ruled out with an injury.

The German is expected to return for the Toffees after the international break, although he may struggle to oust the in-form Maitland-Niles.

Christian Norgaard is another player set to become an option for Moyes, having spent the entirety of his Everton career injured so far following his £7m move from Arsenal.

The Dane will provide depth in both midfield and at centre-back, where he has appeared on occasion.