Kinnear confirms: Everton starts 2026/27 without
According to Sports.
Context
Seamus Coleman, Everton's captain, has been a constant presence at right defense, but his absence opens up space for new dynamics in the team. The club is looking for a successor who can bring intensity and quality to the position, reflecting Everton's ambition to adequately reinforce itself for the Premier League.
Why this matters
The absence of a permanent right-back at Everton could significantly impact the team's dynamics in the Premier League. Seamus Coleman, an iconic figure, has been a reference in the position, and his absence could create defensive vulnerabilities. The club's choice not to move towards a temporary solution reflects a long-term strategy, but also increases the pressure on players adapted to this role.
Main conclusions
- Kinnear confirms: Everton starts 2026/27 without.
- Everton begins the 2026/27 Premier League without a recognized right-back; club waits for priority target and turns to internal solutions such as Jake O'Brien, James Garner and Merlin Rohl.
- Kinnear confirms no new right-back before Palace opener.
Everton will start the 2026/27 Premier League season without a permanent right-back. Kinnear confirmed that there will be no reinforcement for that position before the debut against Crystal Palace, stressing that the club continues to wait for its priority target in this summer market. The topic is not new at Goodison Park: the Toffees have been looking for more than a year for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman, historic captain and reference on the right flank.
While the ideal solution does not arrive, the coach has resorted to adaptations within the squad. Central defender Jake O'Brien has already been called upon to occupy the right flank, as have midfielders James Garner and Merlin Rohl, who fulfilled the mission at different times. Nathan Patterson, in turn, remains out of the immediate options, which further reduces the natural alternatives for the position.
Kinnear's confirmation forces the Liverpool team to approach the start of the championship with a contingency plan. Among the hypotheses is the maintenance of O'Brien as a circumstantial right-back, the use of Garner as a hybrid full-back — offering access from the inside in the construction — or the repetition of Rohl's adaptation, favoring solid coverage and positional balance. Another route, less explored but possible, involves a design with three central defenders and wings, mitigating the absence of a pure right-back with greater protection on the strong defensive side.
Everton's choice to wait for the right reinforcement, instead of moving towards a fallback alternative, reflects their ambition to achieve the desired profile: a full-back who combines defensive intensity, offensive depth and consistency to take over in the medium-long term. However, the decision has immediate competitive costs — from the lack of specific routines in pre-season to risk management against opponents who explore the corridors well.
Coleman's legacy, due to his longevity and leadership, raises the bar for whoever will definitively occupy the right flank. Until that happens, it is up to the group to find tactical stability and performance in the short term, especially at the start of the calendar that requires strong entries to avoid unnecessary pressure on the table.
For fans, the message is clear: the club will not rush. The transfer window remains open and Everton prioritizes quality over urgency. Until then, management of the right side will continue to be an exercise in tactical engineering and individual versatility. The debut against Crystal Palace will serve as the first test of the Toffees' ability to respond to the challenge without a permanent right-back, while remaining focused on closing the desired target on the market.
What happens next
With the debut against Crystal Palace approaching, Everton will have to implement an effective contingency plan. The adaptations of Jake O'Brien, James Garner and Merlin Rohl will be crucial, but the team could also consider a formation with three central defenders to compensate for the lack of a pure full-back. Continuing this approach could define the start of the season and the club's ability to compete in the Premier League.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Everton before the 2026/27 season?
Everton will start the 2026/27 Premier League season without a permanent right-back.
Who confirmed the right-back's situation at Everton?
Kinnear confirmed that there will be no reinforcement for the right-back position before the debut against Crystal Palace.
Why didn't Everton sign a right-back before the debut?
The club is waiting for its priority target in this summer market.
What are the
Are Everton considering the right-back position?
The coach can use Jake O'Brien as right-back, or adapt James Garner and Merlin Rohl to the position.
What is Everton's strategy in relation to signing a right-back?
Everton chose to wait for the right reinforcement, instead of moving towards an alternative resource, targeting a player with defensive intensity and consistency.