David Moyes’ arrival at Everton has coincided with a resurgence of form, including striker Beto finding the net regularly. Moyes’ return has brought a positive atmosphere back to Everton. After a narrow defeat in his first game against Aston Villa, the team has gone seven games unbeaten in the Premier League, winning four.
Beto’s impressive performance, scoring five goals in the last six matches, has been praised. Patrick Boyland from The Athletic highlighted Beto’s ‘resurgence’, suggesting Moyes has unlocked the striker’s potential.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract nearing its end, Beto has an opportunity to establish himself as Everton’s main striker. However, matching the legacy of players like Romelu Lukaku and especially Wayne Rooney will be a significant challenge.
Rooney’s Time Under Moyes at Everton
It’s unlikely Beto will reach Rooney’s level. Rooney, a Premier League legend and Manchester United icon, was an exceptional talent from a young age at Everton.
Moyes gave Rooney his first senior appearance for Everton at just 16 years old in 2002 against Tottenham. Rooney quickly made an impact, providing an assist. Two months later, he scored a memorable goal against Arsenal, ending their 30-match unbeaten run.
In the 2002/03 season, Rooney scored six goals, followed by nine goals in the next season. His performances attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, leading to his transfer to Manchester United in 2004 for £27m. Ferguson called Rooney “the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years.”
Despite a strained relationship after Rooney’s move, his Everton legacy remains. He returned to Everton later in his career, making 117 appearances for the club in total. Now, the question is whether Moyes can find another player like Rooney at Everton.
Moyes’ New Rooney at Everton
Moyes has a talent for getting the best out of players and instilling confidence. While Beto is benefiting from this, Jarrad Branthwaite might be Moyes’ next Rooney. Branthwaite was already performing well before Moyes’ arrival.
Everton signed Branthwaite, aged 17, from Carlisle United in 2020 for a small fee. He has developed into a key player. At 22, the 6ft 5in defender has been called an ‘absolute monster’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Branthwaite has been crucial for Everton’s defense after gaining experience on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
| Jarrad Branthwaite – Premier League Stats with Everton | ||
|---|---|---|
| Match Stats (* per game) | 23/24 | 24/25 |
| Matches (starts) | 35 (35) | 20 (18) |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 1 |
| Clean sheets | 12 | 7 |
| Touches* | 52.2 | 49.1 |
| Pass completion | 80% | 82% |
| Ball recoveries* | 5.2 | 2.9 |
| Tackles + interceptions* | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Clearances* | 4.5 | 6.1 |
| Duels won* | 5.3 (68%) | 3.5 (62%) |
Branthwaite is performing at a high level and could improve further under Moyes. With Everton’s improved form, Branthwaite can focus on developing his skills without the pressure of relegation battles.
Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports described Branthwaite as a ‘pretty special’ talent. With Moyes guiding him, Branthwaite has the potential to become a Premier League star, potentially following a similar path to Rooney. The question remains: how far can Branthwaite go?
Vihaan Mehrotra