A public disconnect has emerged between Everton manager David Moyes and the club's owners, the Friedkin Group (TFG), over expectations for the season — with the transfer window closing and key squad questions still unanswered.

A surprise from the top

TFG chief executive Angus Kinnear recently described Everton's failure to qualify for European football last season as exactly that — a failure. The Friedkins, who also own Serie A club Roma, are described as winners who demand results.

Yet Moyes said he was taken aback by this framing. "I'm surprised they were disappointed because there was never, ever any time anyone said to me 'David, you have to make Europe or you have to be in and around the top end'," the 63-year-old Scot told reporters.

His position is understandable in context. Everton had been in one of the nine European spots on offer to English clubs when Merlin Rohl gave them the lead against Sunderland in their penultimate match of last season — only for the side to collapse, losing 3-1 to the Europe-bound Black Cats, then suffering a final-day defeat at Tottenham Hotspur that left them in 13th place.

Moyes argued the priority had been a smooth transition into the club's new stadium, a task he believes was accomplished. The European push, in his view, was never a firm mandate.

Cup ambitions and cautious optimism

Kinnear also revealed that conversations have taken place between ownership, management, and Moyes about using the Carabao Cup and FA Cup to give supporters something to cheer. Everton's second-round Carabao Cup victory at Preston North End offered a promising early sign, though Moyes was quick to temper expectations, urging fans not to read too much into their opening Premier League win against Crystal Palace or the Deepdale result.

Former Everton and England midfielder Leon Osman acknowledged the tension. "I was a bit surprised at the statement and at the timing," he told BBC Sport, adding that while missing out on Europe late in the season can sting, he would label it a disappointment rather than a failure given the difficulties the club had faced in the years before Moyes returned.

Transfer window frustration

The right-back position has become a flashpoint. Moyes is believed to favour Strasbourg's Guela Doue, but a deal reportedly fell through on financial grounds. Moves for Celtic's Alistair Johnston stalled after injury, Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz was considered but not pursued, Fulham refused to entertain interest in Timothy Castagne, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka instead joined Aston Villa on loan from West Ham United.

Even Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister and a self-confessed Everton supporter, weighed in: "There is one thing I would just ask, sign a right-back."

Everton have made several additions this summer. Hayden Hackney, the PFA Championship player of the year, has arrived from Middlesbrough. Christian Norgaard joins from Arsenal on a £7 million deal to replace the departed Idrissa Gueye. Deals for Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George — who spent last season on loan — were confirmed, while Brennan Johnson arrived from Crystal Palace in a straight swap with Dwight McNeil.

Moyes, however, has been unambiguous: this is not enough. "We need more players. Our squad is not big enough and we need to get more quality in some areas," he said.

Ownership questions linger

TFG deserves credit for restoring financial order following the turbulent Farhad Moshiri era, having spent approximately £170 million on players. Yet chairman Dan Friedkin has not attended any Everton matches, fuelling suspicion among supporters that TFG's primary passion lies with Roma, who are competing in the Champions League.

Osman offered a measured view: "It takes five or six transfer windows minimum to get there depending on your starting point, so there is a few to go yet — of course these last days of the window are important and you can absolutely see why David would like more players and quality in."

With Moyes in the final year of his contract and key forward Iliman Ndiaye still attracting outside interest, the pressure on all parties to align — and act — before the window shuts could hardly be greater.