By Martin Graham
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has moved from the margins to Chelsea to become a central figure Everton emerging project. The 27-year-old returns to his former home this weekend with a side boosted by four wins from five league outings, in contrast to Chelsea’s growing frustration during a four-game winless run in all competitions.
Since David Moyes arrived in January, no top-flight club has won more away from home. The turnaround has bolstered optimism that Everton can overtake fifth-placed Chelsea in the push for a long-awaited return to European competition.
Dewsbury-Hall’s progress has even sparked discussion over whether he could feature in England’s World Cup plans. Just a year ago, Enzo Maresca admitted the midfielder was struggling for minutes in London, despite being Leicester’s standout player during their title campaign.
Dewsbury-Hall then found himself unused in league games against Tottenham and Brentford and was left out for a visit to Everton. Instead, he was selected for a long, freezing trip to Kazakhstan for a low-level Conference League game, a stark reminder of his place in the pecking order.
However, he maintained high standards and featured in Chelsea’s Conference League and Club World Cup final triumphs, performances that highlighted his professionalism as he prepared for an eventual move elsewhere.
Everton’s vision and growing influence
Everton’s recruitment team and Moyes, who had previously tried to bring him to West Ham, were impressed by both his attitude and versatility, making him their priority signing in the summer window.
Only a one-game suspension has kept him out of the league lineup this season. Dewsbury-Hall says leaving Chelsea required a “special” opportunity and saw Everton’s new era, including their move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and American ownership, as an opportunity he could not turn down.
The club secured him for an initial £24m plus £3m in future payments, and from his first pre-season appearance he was determined to prove his commitment, even remarking that he had “scratches” after the Roma game, a symbol of his desire to compete.
Off the pitch, he has settled comfortably into his new surroundings. He plays snooker regularly for Liverpool, enjoys golf and musical theater with his partner, is studying for a sports director’s degree and often volunteers for community projects. His positive nature has helped him connect quickly with his teammates, and some already see him as a potential future captain.
His closest link within the team is with Jack Grealish, whom he met through shared connections. Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman has praised Dewsbury-Hall’s consistency, vision and stamina, noting that he offers poise with his left foot and offers the same level of influence regardless of where he is deployed.
Inside Goodison, his partnership with Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye has earned playful comparisons to the club’s historic ‘Holy Trinity’ midfield, previously reserved for Kendall, Ball and Harvey.
Why Chelsea decided to let him go
Although he now plays predominantly as a No.10, Dewsbury-Hall has been equally willing to take on deeper responsibilities when required. At Chelsea, opportunities in his favorite area of ​​the pitch were limited. Cole Palmer dominated the central attacking role, while Enzo Fernandez also favored the forward positions.
Newcomers Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian added more congestion, leaving Dewsbury-Hall little space to break through. As a result, he made just one start in the Premier League last season, spending most of his time in cup competitions and European group games as part of what was widely described as the club’s ‘B team’.
A growing case from England
Although the Republic of Ireland have approached him because of family ties – with Everton captain Seamus Coleman also mooting the idea – Dewsbury-Hall maintains that representing England is his ambition. He said he respects Ireland’s interest but wants to give himself the best chance to fulfill this lifelong goal.
His numbers this season underscore that confidence. He is level with Ndiaye as Everton’s top scorer in the Premier League with four goals, equaling his total of 62 previous appearances for Leicester, Chelsea and Everton. He also has two assists and sits alongside Grealish and Ndiaye as the club’s leading goal-scorer.
Only Grealish has created more chances and won possession more often in advanced areas. Across the league, Dewsbury-Hall has outscored recent England No.10 options including Rogers, Foden, Bellingham, Gibbs-White and Palmer in chances, recoveries and tackles.
While Palmer and Bellingham have missed time with injuries, only Foden has more goals (six), and only Rogers has more assists (three). Osman believes Gareth Southgate will already be paying attention, praising Dewsbury-Hall’s ability to excel in multiple roles, an often crucial quality in tournament teams.
