Return of Max Walter

[Captain Canada]

This shit is so clean

[ShireNiner]

Short-handed Everton fall to Nottingham Forest, but help is coming per reports


Everton struggle on short rest against Forest but receive positive news on help arriving (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton reporter
December 30, 2025 | The City Ground


Nottingham Forest produced a composed and clinical performance at the City Ground to beat Everton 2–0, with second-half goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Dilane Bakwa sealing the points.

In what was Max Walter’s third Premier League match in charge, Everton again showed intent but lacked the finishing touch, while Forest grew in confidence and punished the Toffees’ mistakes late on. It was another game of individual mistakes for Walter's side, this time coming in attack and not in the defense.

How the game unfolded

The opening period was cagey, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Everton tried to press high and disrupt Forest’s build-up, but the hosts remained patient, passing the ball around the back and not threatening to attack. Everton broke through with two clear chances late in the half but saw both attempts go right into the keeper's arms.

Forest began to take control at the start of the second half, enjoying more possession and forcing Jordan Pickford into early action. Everton, meanwhile, struggled to get the ball out of their own half, giving away the ball in poor areas and failing to clear the box.

The breakthrough came in the 56th minute, when Gibbs-White found space on the edge of the area and rifled a low finish past Pickford, waking up the City Ground after a quiet first half.

Walter’s side attempted to respond, pushing numbers forward and committing more bodies into attack, but that only opened spaces for Forest on the counter as the game went on.

Those spaces were finally exploited in the 89th minute, as substitute Dilane Bakwa finished off a swift break to secure the result and send the fans home happy.

Reinforcements coming?

For Everton, the issues are obvious, and the only solution is in the market. With only 14 healthy senior players, rotating on short weeks is nearly impossible, leading to tired players and early substitutions. The most obvious area is in defense; reports this week coming from Merseyside are that two new defenders will be arriving and possibly one key senior player departing the club.

ShireNiner Network will be following up on reports before providing details to make sure of accuracy.

Callum Ridgeway is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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• Shef United advance in FA Cup
• First trophy in the bag, how many more to come for United?
• Juve top Roma to start season 2-0-0

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Comments

[ShireNiner]

This shit is so clean

The SNN trying to stay fresh

[ShireNiner]

Everton Move to Fix the Back Line: Heaven and Agbadou Arrive as Tarkowski Exit Looms

Emmanuel Agbadou is the first signing of the Walter era at Everton (ShireNiner Network)

By: Callum Ridgeway, Everton Reporter
January 5, 2026 | Transfer Talk

Everton’s response to their defensive crisis has been swift and decisive.

The club has completed the signings of Ayden Heaven from Manchester United for £4.2 million and Emmanuel Agbadou from Wolves for £23 million, as Max Walter begins reshaping a back line ill-suited to his high-pressing philosophy. At the same time, Everton are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a swap deal that would see James Tarkowski move to Stamford Bridge, with winger Tyrique George heading to Merseyside along with a cash payment.

For Walter, these moves represent the first real step in aligning the squad with his footballing identity. Removing the old-style centerbacks that have been hurting his system and replacing them with younger, more athletic backs that can press higher up the pitch.

Ayden Heaven (£4.2m, from Manchester United)

At just 18, Heaven is viewed as a prospect signing but with the expectation of playing right away. The left-footed centre-back impressed in United’s academy with his composure in possession, recovery speed, and willingness to defend space high up the pitch. United were reluctant to let him go, but the opportunity for first-team minutes proved decisive.

“This is a football fit,” a source close to the deal told ShireNiner Network. “Everton sees him as a modern centre-back they can grow, not just a prospect to store.”

Heaven is expected to compete immediately for minutes, with Everton's thin depth in defense, Heaven will be asked to step up right away.

Emmanuel Agbadou (£23m, from Wolves)

The 27-year-old arrives with Premier League experience and a profile tailor-made for Walter’s system: quick across the ground, aggressive stepping into midfield, and comfortable defending wide spaces. Wolves were initially reluctant to sell, but Everton’s willingness to meet their valuation accelerated the deal. Wolves being favorites for relegation and needing the funds was also a benefit for the Toffees.

“This is the defender Max wanted first,” one club source said. “He can survive on an island, which is a requirement in this system.”

With Tarkowski possibly leaving and Keane not favored, Agbadou is seen as the leader of the back line, if he can step up and take it.

Tarkowski on the Move — Chelsea Talks Advance

While reinforcements arrive, a major departure is edging closer.

Everton are in ongoing discussions with Chelsea over a deal that would send James Tarkowski to Stamford Bridge, with Tyrique George moving in the opposite direction, along with a cash component. The clubs have agreed to the deal and are now waiting on Tarkowski's camp to approve.

From Everton’s perspective, the logic is straightforward: Tarkowski, while a leader and professional, is not suited to a sustained high line. His contract has 1.5 years left, and he is losing pace with age. With younger options coming in that Walter's sees as the future, Tarkowski, along with Keane, are seen as "for sale" by the club.

The potential arrival of Tyrique George was not one that Everton initially thought of but Chelsea offered the young winger, someone they see as surplus. Everton's focus this window was on defense, but when the opportunity was present, the club decided to move forward.

Walter has long prioritized wide players who can press, stretch the pitch, and attack defenders one-on-one. George, still just 19, fits that mold. Raw but explosive, capable of operating on either flank, and can add depth across the front.

“He’s fearless,” a Premier League scout told SNN. “Walter loves that.”

The added cash in the deal would further strengthen Everton’s ability to continue reshaping the squad before the window closes. Even though two defenders have arrived, Walter is still looking for more. If Tarkowski agrees to leave, Everton will have three center-backs at the club and only two in favor.

Every problem will not be solved in this window, but the addition of Heaven and Agbadou is certainly a big step in the right direction.

What did you think of this story?

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Callum Ridgewayis a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Everton. He previously covered Everton for Merseyside Network. He is based in Liverpool, UK. Follow Callum on Twitter @Callumsfake

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Comments

[redsox907]

Max Walter needs guys that are going to score more goals

score more goals and you'll see the Ws roll in

[ShireNiner]

Max Walter needs guys that are going to score more goals

score more goals and you'll see the Ws roll in

It’s coming. We had to play defensive because the defense was so bad.