Everton remain unbeaten at their new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium, with three wins and two draws this season. Their confident start shows signs of progress after a summer of smart recruitment — but one glaring issue continues to haunt the club. Since Romelu Lukaku left in 2017, the Toffees have spent close to £160m on strikers and still haven’t found a reliable successor.
Goals Dry Up After Lukaku
Everton have scored only 357 Premier League goals since selling Lukaku — the fewest among clubs ever-present in the league across that period. Despite signing 17 strikers in the past decade, none have become the long-term answer. The struggle remains clear this season: Everton’s two forwards have a combined one goal in 16 appearances.
Even during a recent win over Crystal Palace, manager David Moyes once again changed his striker at half-time — a recurring theme this season. Beto, who impressed in February with five goals in four games, continues to frustrate with inconsistent finishing. New signing Thierno Barry, bought for £27m from Villarreal, is raw and still adjusting to Premier League pace.
Replacing a Club Icon
Lukaku’s legacy still looms large. The Belgian scored 68 Premier League goals for Everton — one every 175 minutes. Since then, the closest striker in goals-to-minute ratio has been Oumar Niasse, who scored only eight league goals but remains fondly remembered for his impact.
Richarlison came closest to filling the void but was sold due to financial pressure. Dominic Calvert-Lewin shone under Carlo Ancelotti but injuries derailed his momentum.
What Next in January?
Everton’s recent takeover has improved finances, but strategic signings remain crucial. With top forwards commanding huge fees, the club continues to gamble on developing talent like Barry.
If Everton want European football again — or a first trophy since 1995 — solving their striker crisis in January may be essential.
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