Everton have already experienced their defining moment of the season. Bidding an emotional farewell to Goodison Park offered the send-off every fan had dreamed of. But now, attention must turn to the future.
That future lies just two miles, and a ten-minute journey, down the road at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. And who leads Everton into this new era will be critical to shaping what comes next.
With the club confirmed to finish 13th in the Premier League, there’s little riding on their final game of the season. Their opponents, however, face a high-stakes scenario, needing a win to secure Champions League football while four rivals closely chase the final three qualification spots.
For Everton, the summer promises transition. Ashley Young, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Michael Keane, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are all edging toward the exit, with no contract extensions currently agreed. Young, Joao Virginia, and Asmir Begovic have already been confirmed to leave, while Doucouré rejected an offer to stay. Meanwhile, loanees Charly Alcaraz, Jack Harrison, Armando Broja, and Jesper Lindstrom are expected to return to their parent clubs, leaving gaps to fill and serious questions around squad depth, recruitment, and long-term planning.
With nothing left to play for in terms of league position, the final match at St James’s Park offers the perfect opportunity to experiment, a chance to preview a team with next year in mind.
Here are three players in contention for a place in the starting XI.
Tim Iroegbunam
With Abdoulaye Doucouré leaving and uncertainty surrounding Idrissa Gana Gueye’s future, Everton’s midfield is heading toward a transitional phase, making Tim Iroegbunam a key figure in any forward planning. The young midfielder has shown encouraging growth and consistency this season, putting forward a strong case to start against Newcastle.
Across 18 Premier League appearances, he has demonstrated his defensive ability with 30 tackles at a 60% success rate, 12 interceptions, and 57 recoveries, numbers that reflect his effectiveness in disrupting opposition play.
Facing one of the Premier League’s most dynamic midfields at St James’s Park, Iroegbunam will need to elevate those stats further. The game presents a perfect test of his ability to break up play and maintain composure under pressure. Initially brought in with financial fair play considerations in mind, he now has the opportunity to prove he offers much more than a line in the accounting books. If he can contribute more in transition and build on his attacking involvement, including shot-creating actions, he could cement his place in the squad.
With midfield departures looming, this weekend could mark the beginning of Iroegbunam staking a serious claim for a first-team role next season.
Nathan Patterson
Surprisingly, Nathan Patterson was not brought on when Seamus Coleman was forced off early during the Goodison Park farewell, perhaps hinting that David Moyes remained cautious about using him against opponents with pace. While Ashley Young may have lost a yard, his experience is often valued when facing tricky, quick wingers, a factor that continues to earn him minutes.
For Patterson, the final game could be a vital opportunity to stake his claim. The Scottish right-back has managed just ten Premier League appearances this season, largely due to recurring injury setbacks. With a fresh start on the horizon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, he'll be eager to prove that the right flank should be his moving forward.
His attacking threat will suit Moyes’ plan but will have to work on his defence, particularly on Sunday, facing former Toffee Antony Gordon or Harvey Barnes on the Newcastle flank will be tricky in itself.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Of the players with contracts set to expire at the end of the season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears the most likely to extend his stay at Everton, and rightly so. Despite underwhelming statistics, the striker still brings plenty to the table. A contract renewal on his current financial terms would raise few complaints from fans who recognise his overall contribution to the team but with the cost of strikers, there's likely to be more praising the business than being critical.
In the 2024–25 Premier League campaign, Calvert-Lewin has made 22 appearances (19 starts), registering 3 goals and 1 assist. While those numbers may seem modest, his ability to hold up play and link the attack remains a vital component of Everton’s tactical approach — a quality particularly evident in the recent performance against Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur.
Beyond just goals, Calvert-Lewin’s influence on the pitch is broader. He’s registered 46 shots this season, with a shooting accuracy of 47.37%, reflecting both his persistence and threat in front of goal. His aerial strength, positional awareness, and experience make him a valuable asset, particularly in matches where physicality and composure are key — such as the upcoming trip to St James’s Park.
Whether David Moyes opts to rely on trusted figures or begin shaping a new-look side for the future, Calvert-Lewin's presence could prove essential in bridging the two eras and maintaining stability up front as Everton navigate their rebuild.