"Ultimately, trophies." Brennan Johnson used his first Everton interview to talk straight at the club's bigger aim, saying he thinks Everton can win silverware. He joined in a swap deal with Crystal Palace last week and featured in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lille on his first outing.

Johnson's message on Everton

Johnson did not spend much time on the debut itself. The point he kept coming back to was belief, and he was clear that he sees the club as capable of delivering something more than a settled mid-table season.

"The fan base, the staff, the players," Johnson said when asked why he thinks Everton can get there. He also added: "I'm really confident that this club can be successful. And I want to be part of that. I'm really hungry to be part of that."

That confidence sits against a fairly ordinary league backdrop. Everton finished 13th in the 2025 Premier League season with 49 points, and their recent league form in the five matches supplied was W-D-L-D-L. Johnson's arrival is part of a new push, but there is no pretending the job has already been done.

Moyes' instructions

Johnson said David Moyes' message was simple. "He kind of just told me he wants me to be me and get back to what I can do best," he said.

That lines up with the way Johnson spoke about his own role. He said he wants to bring his own individuality, try to score, try to assist and be as direct and positive as he can. That is usually the right starting point for a winger at a club that has often looked short on thrust in wide areas.

His first appearance against Lille did not produce a goal, and that is fine. A first outing is mostly about touch, timing and getting used to the group. The more relevant part is that Everton have a new signing who is talking about trophies before he has even settled in, and Moyes is asking him to play with the freedom that earned him the move in the first place.

Johnson has already shown the tone he wants to set. Everton now have to make it look less like talk and more like a team that can back it up in the league again.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →