How Hayden Hackney changes the tactical equation for David Moyes at Everton

The Engine Room Rebuild at Goodison

Everton's summer transfer activity is finally gathering pace, and the target is clear. As TeamTalk reported, they have agreed an initial £16.5 million fee for the Middlesbrough midfielder, with the total package expected to reach £25 million after add-ons. He is a controller.

The timing of this pursuit is not accidental. Following the departures of veteran defender Séamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, Everton's squad is undergoing a significant refresh. David Moyes, who returned to the Goodison Park dugout in January 2025, faces his first full pre-season to rebuild this squad.

In Hackney, Moyes is targeting a player who could redefine how Everton build possession from their defensive third. While other summer targets like Jack Grealish and Aaron Wan-Bissaka remain on the club's radar, securing the Middlesbrough midfielder is the absolute priority. According to reports on the Sky Sports transfer blog, negotiations are entering the final stages this week.

The Middlesbrough Blueprint

To understand what Hackney brings to Everton, one must study the notebooks from his time at Middlesbrough. Hackney was the undisputed focal point of Boro's build-up play, winning Championship Player of the Season after recording five goals and seven assists. He logged 3,305 minutes on the pitch last season, demonstrating his reliability and durability in a grueling division.

Hackney's radar shows a midfielder who excels at progressing the ball through the center. Last season, he averaged 62.4 attempted passes per 90 minutes, with a progressive passing distance of 284 yards per 90. His pass completion rate under pressure was a stellar 86.4%, ranking him in the upper echelon of English midfielders.

Tactically, Middlesbrough used Hackney in a double pivot where he was given license to drop deep. He frequently drifted into the left half-space, allowing the left-back to push high and create a temporary three-man backline. His ability to receive the ball under pressure and drive forward is exactly what Everton's static midfield has lacked for seasons.

The Defensive Deficit

However, Hackney is not a complete midfielder, and his arrival brings notable tactical risks. He is not a destroyer. Indeed, he is not a direct replacement for Idrissa Gueye's defensive work rate and positioning.

Last season, Gueye averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, acting as a reliable shield for the central defenders. Hackney, by contrast, averaged just 1.9 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, indicating a much less combative defensive profile. His defensive duel success rate of 48% is another concern for a team that often defends in a low block under Moyes.

We saw this vulnerability exposed during Middlesbrough's 3-2 defeat against Leeds in March 2026. In the 34th minute of that match, Hackney was caught ball-watching as Leeds transitioned, failing to track the runner from deep and allowing a shot from the edge of the area. He lacks the recovery speed to cover large spaces when possession is lost in the middle third.

If Moyes attempts to pair Hackney with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in a standard two-man midfield, Everton will be vulnerable. Dewsbury-Hall is a creative player who likes to push into the final third, which would leave Hackney isolated against counter-attacks. Opposing managers will instruct their teams to press Hackney high and exploit the space behind him.

Moyes must find a way to balance Hackney's progressive passing with sufficient defensive cover. The solution to this defensive dilemma lies in how Moyes structures his midfield unit. The permanent signing of Merlin Röhl from Freiburg provides Moyes with a highly versatile physical profile in midfield.

Röhl is a tall, athletic runner who averaged 3.8 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season. By deploying a three-man midfield, Moyes can create a system that maximizes the strengths of all three players. In this system, Hackney would play as the deepest midfielder, acting as the primary distributor from the back.

James Garner, who averaged 3.1 tackles per 90 minutes last term, would play as the right-sided box-to-box midfielder, providing the defensive coverage Hackney lacks. Röhl would occupy the left-sided midfield role, using his height and carrying ability to drive the team forward and connect with the attackers. The puzzle is balance.

Rebuilding the Goodison Engine Room

This structure distributes the defensive load while keeping Hackney as the passing hub. This tactical shift could solve Everton's long-standing build-up issues. In the 2025/26 season, Everton's build-up phase was frequently stifled by opponent high presses.

When pressed by a 4-4-2 mid-block, Everton resorted to Jordan Pickford launching long balls toward the strikers. The pass completion rate for these long deliveries was under 34%, leading to constant turnovers in the middle third. Hackney's presence gives Pickford a reliable short option to break the first line of pressure.

Another area where Hackney will impact Everton is in the transition from defense to attack. Under Moyes, Everton have relied heavily on wide areas and crosses to generate threat. Last season, they ranked in the bottom three for central attacking entries in the Premier League.

Hackney's passing range allows him to find teammates in the half-spaces, opening up new attacking avenues through the center. During Middlesbrough's 2-1 win over Coventry in April 2026, Hackney showed how he can unlock compact defenses. In the 74th minute, after Middlesbrough recovered possession in their own half, Hackney bypassed Coventry's mid-block with a single, first-time pass.

The ball travelled 40 yards along the turf, finding the run of the striker who scored the winning goal. He has the vision. However, this requires the forwards to make intelligent runs.

Everton's attacking line must adapt to a midfielder who can play these passes. If the strikers remain static, Hackney will be forced to play sideways, neutralizing his main strength. Moyes must work on offensive patterns during pre-season to ensure the attackers are aligned with Hackney's vision.

The Verdict and Prediction

Everton's pursuit of Hayden Hackney is a calculated risk that could define their upcoming campaign. At £25 million, they are investing heavily in a player who has never played regular Premier League football. Tactics dictate everything here.

The success of this transfer depends entirely on Moyes' willingness to adapt his tactical framework. If Moyes insists on a rigid, defensive two-man midfield, Hackney will struggle to cope with the physical demands of the top flight. But if Moyes embraces a three-man midfield with Garner and Röhl protecting Hackney, the signing will be a success.

Hackney has the technical ability to adapt to the speed of the Premier League. His press resistance and passing range will elevate Everton's build-up play, making them a much more difficult team to defend against. The days of predictable, long-ball football at Goodison Park are numbered.

I predict that Hackney will settle quickly and establish himself as Everton's primary creator by November. He will record at least six assists and maintain a pass completion rate above 83% in his debut season. Under his guidance in midfield, Everton will avoid any relegation worries and secure a stable 12th-place finish.

This transfer is the first step toward a more progressive and modern Everton side. Moyes has the pieces; now he must build the puzzle.