Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has spoken out against the negative reaction to the club's turbulent transfer deadline day, insisting the mood inside the dressing room is far more positive than perceptions from outside. David Moyes ended the window with fewer players than he started with, no cover at full-back and just one recognised striker, after the American forward Folarin Balogun withdrew from a proposed £40m transfer minutes after submitting a deal sheet. Dewsbury-Hall said the wave of criticism and "meltdowns" from supporters had frustrated him, arguing it sent the wrong message to the players who remain at the club.

The 28-year-old, who joined from Chelsea for £28m last summer, said Everton's starting XI remains of a high, "European" standard despite the club having only 17 or 18 players at that level in the squad. He also discussed his growing leadership role, having been voted into a new senior players' group formed to fill the void left by Séamus Coleman's departure, alongside Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and James Garner.