Everton Backed To Sign 27-Year-Old Attacker On Loan: Will He Thrive Under Moyes?

Can Edon Zhegrova thrive under David Moyes?

BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Edon Zhegrova of LOSC Lille warms up ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Bologna FC 1909 and LOSC Lille at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on November 27, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bringing Zhegrova to Everton raises real questions about whether he actually is the right profile for a David Moyes side. On one hand, the winger has a magic left foot and can beat players for fun, often making something out of nothing when he cuts inside from the right. That kind of individual brilliance could be exactly what Everton need to unlock stubborn, deep-sitting defences.

However, there are big worries about his fitness following a serious knee injury that seems to have cost him his old pace. Moyes usually demands his wide men work their socks off and stay disciplined defensively, but Zhegrova has struggled with his work rate and rarely lasts a full 90 minutes. If Everton go through with this, they’ll have to consider his technical skill against those concerns over his consistency and engine. A loan is a low-risk way to see if their medical team can get him back to his explosive best before they commit to a permanent move.