Everton line-ups v Lille as right-back, centre-back and Armstrong decisions made
· Chris Beesley; Joe Thomas; Paul Wheelock · 2026-08-15T06:18:11+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Everton wrap up their preparations for the 2026-27 Premier League season today when they take on Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium (3pm kick-off) in their final pre-season friendly.
And the Blues will return to their waterfront home in buoyant mood after an impressive 3-1 win over top-flight English rivals Newcastle United in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
It was a win achieved without star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, and new signings Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson, but along with World Cup hero Jordan Pickford, who is now back at Finch Farm following his exploits for England in North America, they could all feature this afternoon.
So what should David Moyes do in terms of his line-up?
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Our writers have their say...
Joe Thomas
I think now is the time, ideally, to start something near the side that is most likely to begin the season at Crystal Palace.
But given how many players who would be in the first XI aren't yet up to speed, that is not possible. There are also some tough calls and some players - Tyrique George in particular - could miss out despite having a good summer.
It also means giving Jordan Pickford a bit more time after he returned to training on Thursday and probably starting Jake O’Brien at right-back - not what anyone wanted for this stage of the summer.
But we have to be realistic. The side below is not Everton's best XI - mine would probably include Pickford, James Garner, Christian Norgaard and potentially Brennan Johnson. I would also like to see Jake O'Brien alongside Jarrad Branthwaite.
But all things considered, this would be my XI - and yes, I would have Harrison Armstrong over Hayden Hackney at this stage. Armstrong has been good this summer and has more Premier League experience.
My team (4-3-3): Travers, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall; Dibling, Barry, Ndiaye.
Chris Beesley
It’s time for Everton’s final pre-season friendly, so with the 2026/27 Premier League campaign just a week away, David Moyes should be looking to pick as close a line-up as possible to the one that will start against Crystal Palace.
Mark Travers has proven a competent understudy throughout the warm-up matches this summer, but hopefully England number one Jordan Pickford is now ready to return in goal following his World Cup heroics. Nathan Patterson got a run-out at Murrayfield on Wednesday night but if Moyes doesn’t fancy his fellow Glaswegian, with still no new right-back signed, I’d stick Merlin Rohl in that position.
That would allow Jake O’Brien to reprise his natural role in the heart of defence alongside Jarrad Branthwaite after James Tarkowski and Michael Keane got the nod last time out.
The likes of Tyler Dibling and new signings Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson will be eager to force their way in, but I’d maintain continuity in the front six roles for now to try and build up some rhythm and understanding after the 3-1 win over Newcastle when the likes of Harrison Armstrong, Tyrique George and Thierno Barry all excelled.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Rohl, O’Brien, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Armstrong, Hackney; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, George; Barry.