Everton 2023/24 season preview: Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions

After battling against relegation for the second conseciutive season in 2022/23, Everton supporters will be hoping for a more prosperous 2023/24.

Abdoulaye Doucoure was the hero on the final day of the season as his thumping strike sunk Bournemouth and ensured the Toffees retained their Premier League status at Leicester's expense.

However, the club's relatively inactive summer would suggest that Sean Dyche has his work cut out if his side are to beat the drop this season.

Here's 90min's preview for Everton's 2023/24 campaign.

Everton's performance last five seasons

Season	Premier League	FA Cup	EFL Cup
2022/23	17th	R3	R3
2021/22	16th	QF	R3
2020/21	10th	QF	QF
2019/20	12th	R3	QF
2018/19	8th	R4	R3

Summer transfers

Ins:

Arnaut Danjuma (FW) - Villarreal - loan
Ashley Young (DF) - Aston Villa - free transfer

Outs:

Moise Kean (FW) - Juventus - undisclosed
Ellis Simms (FW) - Coventry - £8m
Niels Nkounkou (DF) - St. Etienne - undisclosed
Asmir Begovic (GK) - QPR - free
Yerry Mina (DF) - Fiorentina - free transfer
Tom Davies (MF) - released
Andros Townsend (MF) - released

Squad numbers

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

Number	Name
1	Jordan Pickford
2	Nathan Patterson
4	Mason Holgate
5	Michael Keane
6	James Tarkowski
7	Dwight McNeil
8	Amadou Onana
9	Dominic Calvert-Lewin
10	Arnaut Danjuma
11	Demarai Gray
12	Joao Virginha
13	Neal Maupay
16	Abdoulaye Doucoure
17	Alex Iwobi
18	Ashley Young
19	Vitalii Mykolenko
20	Dele Alli
21	Andre Gomes
22	Ben Godfrey
23	Seamus Coleman
25	Jean-Philippe Gbamin
27	Idrissa Gueye
28	Thomas Cannon
31	Andy Lonergan
32	Jarrad Branthwaite
37	James Garner
61	Lewis Dobbin

Key players

Dominic Calvert-Lewin should thrive under Sean Dyche / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Star player

Everton's survival could depend on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has the potential to be a serious outlet for Dyche's Toffees.

The initial signs were promising for the target man as he starred in Everton's win over Arsenal on Dyche's debut, but further injury woes meant he only played a bit-part role down the stretch.

Calvert-Lewin is the towering focal point Dyche needs for his direct and aggressive style to succeed. Otherwise, Everton will be desperately lacking going forward - even if they acquire young Youssef Chermiti from Sporting CP.

One to watch

Could Dele Alli have an impact in 2023/24? / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Dele Alli's poignant interview with Gary Neville over the summer has hopefully lifted a huge weight off the Englishman's shoulders.

The former England international has drifted into the abyss in recent times and has barely featured for Everton since joining the club in January 2022. His loan spell at Besiktas last season was a waste of time, but he's returned to Merseyside relaxed and with a big point to prove.

Whether he can compete at the highest level again remains to be seen, but he could be a major X-factor for Dyche should the former Burnley boss get a tune out of him. Dele could thrive playing off Calvert-Lewin's shoulder.

2023/24 kits

Home kit

The collar is back 🤌

Our 2023/24 @hummel1923 home kit is here - and available now! ⬇️
— Everton (@Everton) June 29, 2023

Away kit

A 90s remix 💿

Presenting our 2023/24 @hummel1923 away kit - order online now or available in store from July 28! pic.twitter.com/2g48LoeNks
— Everton (@Everton) July 21, 2023

Premier League prediction

Everton escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth last season, and they simply haven't done enough in the transfer window to suggest they'll be any better in 2023/24.

The Toffees were functional at best under Dyche towards the back end of the campaign, and it's hard to envisage the Merseyside club being anything but relegation battlers given their current personnel and reliance on an injury-prone Calvert-Lewin in attack.

Everton could be in serious trouble, and it wouldn't be a surprise to finally see them succumb to the drop.