"We’re hoping we get him back maybe somewhere after the international break, that’s what we would hope." David Moyes said that about Christian Nørgaard as Everton wait on the midfielder’s return from injury. The £7m summer signing arrived from Arsenal on 5 August 2026, but he has still not made his Everton debut.
Everton's midfield has not stood still
The delay has made the competition around him the main issue. Harrison Armstrong has featured in all but three minutes of Premier League action this term, while James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are already in the frame for minutes. Everton’s writers expect the first-choice midfield, once everyone is fit, to be Dewsbury-Hall, Garner and Nørgaard.
Joe Thomas of the ECHO said Nørgaard "should not head straight into the starting XI once he is fit," although he added that, once his match fitness catches up, "I do think he is in my first choice midfield." That feels about right. Everton have settled quickly without forcing him in, and Moyes does not need to rush a player who has barely played.
Nørgaard managed only 101 Premier League minutes for Arsenal in 2025-26 before the move, which explains why a return after the international break still looks like the sensible target rather than an immediate re-entry. Everton are 7th with 9 points from 5 matches, and their unbeaten start gives Moyes room to keep the midfield as it is until Nørgaard is ready.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
