The Mail Bag
Is he worth it?
Comments (82)
The BIG ONE!!! The one we were waiting for!! Our big money signing is here. But is he worth it? £15M for a 20- year-old!! He ain't exactly Moutinho. Is he even as good as a Carsley? I hadn't even heard of this fellow 'til 2 days ago.
Breaking the club record on Yakubu was one thing, he was a proven quantity. But £15 mill on a relatively unknown quantity is a pretty big deal. I just hope that the ginger one knows what he is doing on this one and he turns out to be a super success story.
Nigel Gregson, Posted 02/09/2008 at 03:52:19
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He is one of the most highly rated young midfieldes in Europe. Over the past 2 years he has been tracked by Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Spurs and Villa amongst others. If he lives up to his potential then we have signed a great player all be it at an inflated price due to leaving the transfer until the last minute.
He won’t score 10 goals like the first poster said, 4-5 maybe. He plays primarily as a defensive mid. He only really comes forward for set pieces which is where he scored most of his goals for Standard Liege.
He won’t score 10 goals like the first poster said, 4-5 maybe. He plays primarily as a defensive mid. He only really comes forward for set pieces which is where he scored most of his goals for Standard Liege.
Oh and he is technically not the best player around but his work rate is amazing and he ticks all the right boxes for a defensive/holding midfielder.
would have prefered moutinho but what ya gonna do. Maybe we will go back in for him in January (lol as if)
would have prefered moutinho but what ya gonna do. Maybe we will go back in for him in January (lol as if)
Why did we sign Castillo if we were after Fellaini? From what I gather they’re both defensive midfielders. Who’s going to provide creativity? Hopefully see Fernandes back in January fully fit and raring to go!
No doubt another dimension than Moutinho would have been, but what this gives us is height in midfield, which everyone has been talking about as a lacking quality. He could turn out to be a defensive Cahill. I too am surprised by the exorbitant price tag, but the guy is young and accomplished. Also, we were linked with him earlier in the year, so Moyes must have been tracking him over time. I therefore am not sure it is a panic buy as much as reflecting the new market realities. With continued development, he should be able to increase his value over time, although I am again not sure how much above 15 million quid this guy will eventually cost.
Castillo is a reasonably creative player. Not the type to dribble past 3 into the box, but can thread the needle over 20-25 yeards and scores goals from well timed late runs & a powerful shot.
Last year World Soccer magazine rated Fellaini amongst the most exciting 50 teenagers in world football. Predictably the list is mostly made up of forwards and flair players and I think he’s the only defensive midfielder in there. He’s described as a superior box to box midfielder.
Is he worth £15m? I reckon so but only time will tell.
In him and Castillo, plus Rodwell in time, I think we have some REAL options now in central midfield, something we’ve lacked for a good while.
Is he worth £15m? I reckon so but only time will tell.
In him and Castillo, plus Rodwell in time, I think we have some REAL options now in central midfield, something we’ve lacked for a good while.
No doubt things could have been done better this summer. I know next to nothing about Fellaini but he fills a position we are weak in will provide a physical presence and if his ability reflects his price than we may salvage a respectable season yet. It will be interesting to see our line up over the next few matches. He must at least be a step up from playing our defenders in midfield.
The ink isn’t dry on the contract and some of you are moaning!!!
With a nickname like "Dixie", he’ll do for me.
With a nickname like "Dixie", he’ll do for me.
Just heard the news - I don’t know a great deal about the lad - I will have to check my World Soccer collection !!! - But it’s good news that we have gained 2 midfield players as we have looked quite weak in central midfield. I think Jags would play on the left wing or as striker if required/asked to do so - but perhaps now we can see him in his best position - central defence. I just hope Saha can get fit and show what he is capable of.
btw has anyone seen the mirror today ? it reckons we have signed Wagner Love for £12 million and he will join in January once the Russian season ends.
Had given up and gone to bed, pleasantly surprised by this news though have to confess I know nothing about this guy other than the fact he rumbled the RS the other night. The price does seem a bit steep but if your going to leave it late that’s a price you have to pay I’m afraid. He may not be the big name many had wished for but he does fill the void left by Carsley. He is young and no doubt has much to learn but it would seem the potential is there. More importantly he is joined by Castilla who by all accounts is strong and likes to get forward.
The plus for me is that we now have two physical presences in central midfield something we’ve not seen in years and with the artistry of Arteta we will not be short of creativity. As for Saha I have real reservations but our position looks an awful lot better than it did this time yesterday.
The plus for me is that we now have two physical presences in central midfield something we’ve not seen in years and with the artistry of Arteta we will not be short of creativity. As for Saha I have real reservations but our position looks an awful lot better than it did this time yesterday.
Will people stop moaning for god’s sake!
We have signed a fantastic player and one who ticks all the boxes of a superb defensive midfielder. Be happy!
Unbelievable.
We have signed a fantastic player and one who ticks all the boxes of a superb defensive midfielder. Be happy!
Unbelievable.
Philip Jones
Do you remember who we had in the middle of the park when we won the FA Cup in 1995? Parkinson and Horne are not the most creative lot but they sure is hell good at sniping at ankles.
Having 2 solid CMs that are strong in the tackle and able to pick out decent passes would provide a springboard for Arteta/Pienaar/Osman etc to work the magic on the flanks to feed the Yak...
COYBs!!!
Do you remember who we had in the middle of the park when we won the FA Cup in 1995? Parkinson and Horne are not the most creative lot but they sure is hell good at sniping at ankles.
Having 2 solid CMs that are strong in the tackle and able to pick out decent passes would provide a springboard for Arteta/Pienaar/Osman etc to work the magic on the flanks to feed the Yak...
COYBs!!!
I’ve been longing for Moutinho all season, but this is still exciting news.
It makes me wonder whether Moyes will adopt the two defensive midfielders so popular with a lot of European managers.
Eg:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Castillo Fellaini
Arteta Cahill Pienaar
Yakubu
That gives us a of strength defensively, and should allow the midget gems the freedom to swap positions and get into the box to support Yak.
Thoughts?
It makes me wonder whether Moyes will adopt the two defensive midfielders so popular with a lot of European managers.
Eg:
Howard
Neville Yobo Lescott Baines
Castillo Fellaini
Arteta Cahill Pienaar
Yakubu
That gives us a of strength defensively, and should allow the midget gems the freedom to swap positions and get into the box to support Yak.
Thoughts?
Like I said before, I saw this lad play several times. He’s got bags of potential, really a good signing. Just give him time to adjust to the Premiership and in half a year you’ll be raving about this lad.
Zac
I like your idea of a line up, one question now is who will become captain because I cant see Neville keeping his place especially if Jacobsen impresses......assuming Moyes gives him the chance!
Interesting to see we’ve ’agreed’ a deal for Wagner Love in January.......so that’ll never happen then but it’d be nice if it did. I wonder what time in the early hours of 1st February that’ll be concluded as is the Everton way!!
I like your idea of a line up, one question now is who will become captain because I cant see Neville keeping his place especially if Jacobsen impresses......assuming Moyes gives him the chance!
Interesting to see we’ve ’agreed’ a deal for Wagner Love in January.......so that’ll never happen then but it’d be nice if it did. I wonder what time in the early hours of 1st February that’ll be concluded as is the Everton way!!
i’ve never been more unimpressed by a record signing. I only hope i.m proved wrong but i still feel we are left embarrassingly short on mid field quality. I feel cheated and let down, but me like the rest of us suckers will still turn up every week and keep plying all of our own hard earned cash into the clubs pocket. I.m gutted. Moutinho was never gonna happen, but i like the rest of us had a lingering hope that we may be happily surprised at the last minute. I feel warn out and let down by it all. Man city, i.m so so jealous.
How can you be anything but happy? All summer people have wanted a big money signing and here it is - we’ve broken our transfer record and bought a quality player. Is he worth 15m? Dead right he is, look at todays prices for heavens sake!
I’m happy me, we have a much better squad now with way more depth and options all over the pitch. We can change in every position now and that’s exactly what we needed - Fellaini will be a great buy and he’ll help a lot when we play Liege
this was on the BBC rumour mill:
Everton manager David Moyes was turned down when he made a cheeky enquiry about taking Newcastle’s former Liverpool striker Michael Owen back to Merseyside. (The Sun)
But the Toffees have agreed a record £12m deal for CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian star Vagner Love - but he will not arrive until January as CSKA have demanded that the forward stays until the end of the Russian season. (Daily Mirror)
Everton manager David Moyes was turned down when he made a cheeky enquiry about taking Newcastle’s former Liverpool striker Michael Owen back to Merseyside. (The Sun)
But the Toffees have agreed a record £12m deal for CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian star Vagner Love - but he will not arrive until January as CSKA have demanded that the forward stays until the end of the Russian season. (Daily Mirror)
I read this site alot and comment occasionlly but this morning I just have to say most of you are compleat nobs(no offence) this guy will be class and I for one am tottally buzzin. Especially as up untill 5 minuites ago I thought we hadn’t signed anyone.
If your wondering he’s massive, skillfull and hard as nails! is that enough or shall we all keep being miserable?
If your wondering he’s massive, skillfull and hard as nails! is that enough or shall we all keep being miserable?
James Marshall : Man City got Vincent Kompany (international team mate of fellaini) for just £6 million. That tends to make me think we did pay too much for Fellaini because of leaving it so late.
Ian Ankers:
"i?ve never been more unimpressed by a record signing"
So you were impressed at the signing of Beattie? Your judgement helped you there, didn’t it?
I actually agree with Adam Wilkinson.
"i?ve never been more unimpressed by a record signing"
So you were impressed at the signing of Beattie? Your judgement helped you there, didn’t it?
I actually agree with Adam Wilkinson.
I can understand fans coming on making remarks, about the lad, but
just let him settle in, he looked capable against the shite, so just give him a chance to get into the side. at least he will have a few weeks
to get to know the lads, along with Saha & co.
just let him settle in, he looked capable against the shite, so just give him a chance to get into the side. at least he will have a few weeks
to get to know the lads, along with Saha & co.
This is GREAT. Whilst I believe Moutinho is a better in terms of skill and creativity, Fellaini is much more suited to our needs and gives us a balance and blend...no longer just midget gems! He gives us: Huge power, engine, stamina, strength and crunching tackles to dominate in the middle.
With injured players coming back soon included in midfield we now have (including Neville, Rodwell and Baxter if required): Arteta, Pienaar, Castillo, Cahill, Osman, Fellaini, Neville, Rodwell, and Baxter to choose from.
I like the look of this side for 4-5-1:
Howard;
Neville, Yobo, Jags, Lescott;
Arteta, Castillo, Cahill, Fellaini, Pienaar:
Yakubu.
In a 4-4-2:
Howard;
Neville, Yobo, Jags, Lescott;
Arteta, Cahill, Fellaini, Pienaar;
Yakubu, Saha.
Bench: Nash, Jacobsen, Rodwell, Castillo, Baines, Osman, Vaughan.
Things are looking MUCH better I’d say...COYB!
With injured players coming back soon included in midfield we now have (including Neville, Rodwell and Baxter if required): Arteta, Pienaar, Castillo, Cahill, Osman, Fellaini, Neville, Rodwell, and Baxter to choose from.
I like the look of this side for 4-5-1:
Howard;
Neville, Yobo, Jags, Lescott;
Arteta, Castillo, Cahill, Fellaini, Pienaar:
Yakubu.
In a 4-4-2:
Howard;
Neville, Yobo, Jags, Lescott;
Arteta, Cahill, Fellaini, Pienaar;
Yakubu, Saha.
Bench: Nash, Jacobsen, Rodwell, Castillo, Baines, Osman, Vaughan.
Things are looking MUCH better I’d say...COYB!
This is a catch 22 sirutation, if we hadnt bought anyone everyone would be going mad, probably madder than they are now suggesting this is a panic buy!
your damned if you do and your damned if you dont.
Hes a big old unit this fella we can get Jagielka back to centre half, lescott to left back and hopefully restore some solidity to our side.
your damned if you do and your damned if you dont.
Hes a big old unit this fella we can get Jagielka back to centre half, lescott to left back and hopefully restore some solidity to our side.
Stop Moaning about players we didnt sign
Firstly the club has to agree to sell them and secondly the player has to want to come
It would have been nice to sign many of the names mentioned, however we didnt
you really cant please some people
Firstly the club has to agree to sell them and secondly the player has to want to come
It would have been nice to sign many of the names mentioned, however we didnt
you really cant please some people
The big one? That’s to come. Window now closed so what reason’s for davey not to sign in next few days.
That’s the one I want with davey in a more boyant mood.
That’s the one I want with davey in a more boyant mood.
I watched the RS play Liege the other night and Fellaini obviously stood out, however obvious it was that the scum would get the last minute winner. If he can keep his engine going like that for a full season he could be great. Along with many others I just despair that it’s taken so long to secure a signing of this magnitude, which shows there has indeed been money there all along. It’s bewildering to be an Evertonian sometimes.
@Zac, I think there’s a good chance you’re right in thinking DM will go for 2 defensive midfielders, but I’m not sure his first choice (for now at least) will be to partner Castillo with Fellaini.
Given that
a) we know Moyes will never drop Pip the Skip Neville if fit
b) Neville’s allegedly told Moyes he wants to play in midfield
c) when Hibbert’s fit he is also the chosen RB against many opponents (particularly the big games or tricky left wingers), and
d) Moyes doesn’t like to change things too much too fast...
I can’t see past a midfield of Neville and Fellaini sitting behind the 3 you mention.
Fellaini as a powerful box-to-box man means Neville has the real holding role. I hope I’m wrong as I think he’s a decent attacking RB but a liability in defensive mid. In a role that demands an ability to tackle to break up attacks or pass your way out of tight situations, Carsley could at least do one of these things! With Neville there you always get the impression we’ll be giving away possession or free kicks on the edge of the box any time soon.
But again, I hope I’m wrong - I am always willing to be made a fool of!
@Zac, I think there’s a good chance you’re right in thinking DM will go for 2 defensive midfielders, but I’m not sure his first choice (for now at least) will be to partner Castillo with Fellaini.
Given that
a) we know Moyes will never drop Pip the Skip Neville if fit
b) Neville’s allegedly told Moyes he wants to play in midfield
c) when Hibbert’s fit he is also the chosen RB against many opponents (particularly the big games or tricky left wingers), and
d) Moyes doesn’t like to change things too much too fast...
I can’t see past a midfield of Neville and Fellaini sitting behind the 3 you mention.
Fellaini as a powerful box-to-box man means Neville has the real holding role. I hope I’m wrong as I think he’s a decent attacking RB but a liability in defensive mid. In a role that demands an ability to tackle to break up attacks or pass your way out of tight situations, Carsley could at least do one of these things! With Neville there you always get the impression we’ll be giving away possession or free kicks on the edge of the box any time soon.
But again, I hope I’m wrong - I am always willing to be made a fool of!
Please , please stop moaning and trust the manager. I honestly thought he had no money and was reduced to the role of a desperate husband checking out petrol stations on xmas eve. In the end he was able to do some proper shopping. To extend the analogy , what some posters don’t seem to get is that just because moyes wanted to buy someone, it didn’t mean the recipient wanted to be bought. The Guardian reports this morning that Riera very much resisted Everton’s attempts to buy him , as did Tiago.
I’m delighted with the new signings and don’t underestimate the signing of Carlo Nash; we desperately needed a dependable back up goalie.
Further , the new signings will mean that Rodwell and Baxter will be given full time to develop.
I’m delighted with the new signings and don’t underestimate the signing of Carlo Nash; we desperately needed a dependable back up goalie.
Further , the new signings will mean that Rodwell and Baxter will be given full time to develop.
The big one? That’s to come. Window now closed so what reason’s for davey not to sign in next few days.
That’s the one I want with davey in a more boyant mood.
That’s the one I want with davey in a more boyant mood.
I can’t believe all these negative comments, this guy is going to be a massive signing for us. I can remember posting a comment the other week stating that I would love to see this guy play for us. 15 million is a bit over the top but like people have pointed out, this is because we have left it so late and the fact that we have to play Standard in the UEFA cup! I’m hoping Moyes will go back and sign his midfield colleague, Steven Defour, who is a quality midfield general, just what I feel we need. Congratulations Moyes, quality signing and I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy got us 10 goals a season just from his physical threat from set pieces. COYB
"Whilst I believe Moutinho is a better in terms of skill and creativity, Fellaini is much more suited to our needs and gives us a balance and blend...no longer just midget gems! He gives us: Huge power, engine, stamina, strength and crunching tackles to dominate in the middle."
This is exactly the point in my opinion. Moutinho is clearly the better/more proven player, but would actually add less to the Everton team.
Fellaini is the player we all expected when Carsley left. He’s not just a replacement, and not just an upgrade - he’s the all round, box to box player that we’ve needed for ages. Whereas with Carsley we had to play 4-5-1 (to cover for Carsley’s lack of technical ability), with Fellaini we can play 4-4-2 properly.
And he’s a player for Arteta to cross to who can actually head a ball. Arteta will be much more of a threat with him in the team.
I’m well chuffed with the signing.
We do still lack pace though. If Obinna had signed too, then it would have been a good summer for transfers (if you are realistic and don’t expect £40m to be spent). As it is, it’s just ok.
This is exactly the point in my opinion. Moutinho is clearly the better/more proven player, but would actually add less to the Everton team.
Fellaini is the player we all expected when Carsley left. He’s not just a replacement, and not just an upgrade - he’s the all round, box to box player that we’ve needed for ages. Whereas with Carsley we had to play 4-5-1 (to cover for Carsley’s lack of technical ability), with Fellaini we can play 4-4-2 properly.
And he’s a player for Arteta to cross to who can actually head a ball. Arteta will be much more of a threat with him in the team.
I’m well chuffed with the signing.
We do still lack pace though. If Obinna had signed too, then it would have been a good summer for transfers (if you are realistic and don’t expect £40m to be spent). As it is, it’s just ok.
erik dols.
Yer i was impressed by the beattie signing and yes i was wrong to be. And like i said in my post, i hope i.m wrong again! Of course i hope felliani is the man we need to move us on, but bad, good or great i still feel our expectations have not been met this summer and i find it hard to believe our business will move us on any! Couple that with some of the signings of the other also ran’s and i feel we may struggle. Felliani may turn out to be a world beater, but will that be enough to move us forward?
Yer i was impressed by the beattie signing and yes i was wrong to be. And like i said in my post, i hope i.m wrong again! Of course i hope felliani is the man we need to move us on, but bad, good or great i still feel our expectations have not been met this summer and i find it hard to believe our business will move us on any! Couple that with some of the signings of the other also ran’s and i feel we may struggle. Felliani may turn out to be a world beater, but will that be enough to move us forward?
God, some of you lot are easily pleased. Already the ’ quality player ’ tag is being used, and that is from some of you who havn’t even seen him play, (I’ll reserve judgement when I’ve seen him play and he settles in) apart from 2 games against the shite. So, I take it BK is a’ true blue ’ again for you all, and is the best thing since slice bread? If it wasn’t so funny, I’d cry.
I’m hoping he is the new Olivier Dacourt.
I agree enough of the moaning and lets get behind the team!
I’m prepared to trust Moyesy to do a great job best with *whatever* he’s got- he has a proven record of doing just that.
Who expected us to do as well as we did last campaign? Maybe we had a charmed run especially through Europe and this has set the bar too high!
A lot of this stinking negativity comes from one thing-EXPECTATION!
Maybe just lowering ’ours’ a bit will make everything a little easier (and winning much better!!).
Being an Aussie I can choose what I want to read via the internet and am not exposed to all the B.S. that goes on in the media there.
Maybe all the whingers should stick to cricket and getting those Ashes back (hehe- couldn’t help it).
Cheers.
I’m prepared to trust Moyesy to do a great job best with *whatever* he’s got- he has a proven record of doing just that.
Who expected us to do as well as we did last campaign? Maybe we had a charmed run especially through Europe and this has set the bar too high!
A lot of this stinking negativity comes from one thing-EXPECTATION!
Maybe just lowering ’ours’ a bit will make everything a little easier (and winning much better!!).
Being an Aussie I can choose what I want to read via the internet and am not exposed to all the B.S. that goes on in the media there.
Maybe all the whingers should stick to cricket and getting those Ashes back (hehe- couldn’t help it).
Cheers.
Can’t believe we signed someone good in midfield! It just proves I was right all along, that Moyes did have money to spend but chos to dither rather than bringing someone in at the start of the season. It also makes you think could we have not just signed Fernandes and had a few million left for another signing?
Nigel if you hadnt heard of him before this weekend then your football knowledge must be very limited. He had 2 great displays against the rs and could be someone to plan the next 10 years around. I bet you hadnt heard of half the players that we’ve signed and come good. im not going to pretend that £15M isnt a lot but at 11:45 thats kinda tough. well im feeling optomistic.
Ian Reed: could it be that Moyes knows that Capt’n Pip wants to play in midfield, that he couldn’t refuse it as long as he had no real other options, and that now he can say to Pip "look, we’ve got this young midfield general and that Ecuadorian bloke that both are more natural defensive mids, we need you at right back?"
Probably just wasted hope this, but I really wish Moyes knows it and will tell Neville as it is.
Probably just wasted hope this, but I really wish Moyes knows it and will tell Neville as it is.
Honestly, what would Moutinho have brought to the team?...
He would replace Pienaar, Osman or Cahill but would be be that much of an improvement over whichever one of them to justify a 20m outlay?
We’d still need a defensive mid - we’ve lost 2 of 3 games because of a distinct lack of a good enough one in the squad.
We’ve just signed a younger, more physically imposing player that brings far much more to the team as a whole rather than just one flashy, individually class big-name. I think we’ve all gotten a bit carried away with Moutinho - he’s why has no other club registered any interest?
At least he’s in his country’s starting XI!...
He would replace Pienaar, Osman or Cahill but would be be that much of an improvement over whichever one of them to justify a 20m outlay?
We’d still need a defensive mid - we’ve lost 2 of 3 games because of a distinct lack of a good enough one in the squad.
We’ve just signed a younger, more physically imposing player that brings far much more to the team as a whole rather than just one flashy, individually class big-name. I think we’ve all gotten a bit carried away with Moutinho - he’s why has no other club registered any interest?
At least he’s in his country’s starting XI!...
Would also like to point out that Chelsea and Man Utd have been linked with this guy over the last couple of years.
He will prove to be one of the best in the prem!
He will prove to be one of the best in the prem!
Yeah Dave Dix and David Mckitt i saw the bbc gossip coloum, does anyone have a source as to whether this is true? if so got to be good news?
We needed a midfielder and got two. We needed more faces - we got Saha, Nash and Jacobsen in. We needed to take the wind out of Liege’s sails and I think we’ve done that too!
Would have loved Fernandes and SWP but so what...
At least Rafa still doesn’t know what he’s doing!
Would have loved Fernandes and SWP but so what...
At least Rafa still doesn’t know what he’s doing!
It’s a real pity though that this guy is cup tied. We needed him there in the midfield against his old club but hey I’m sure he’ll provide us with some descent tips to get around the rest of the giants!
I don’t really know a lot about this gentleman but I think we should be happy we have signed a midfielder because when i went to bed last night we only had a crocked Saha and Carol Nosh. Woke up and we had splashed £15million on a Belgium rock. I’m happy with that. Yes over the odd probably but like a few people have already mentioned. We play them in a few weeks, we were completing the deal at midnight and he’s a cracking prospect. Stop moaning and be happy that we haven’t been left with a reserve goalie and a dodgy forward.
Come on Moyesy!!
Come on Moyesy!!
Everyone was on here whingeing last night, with the thought of Carlo Nash being the last signing (I was fuming!).
But credit where credits due, BK and Moyes did a good job in the end overall. We have a RB, back up GK, a top class striker (fitness permitting) and finally some more options in central midfield - including a new record signing. I don’t think we could have hoped for a better outcome after this summer, COYB
But credit where credits due, BK and Moyes did a good job in the end overall. We have a RB, back up GK, a top class striker (fitness permitting) and finally some more options in central midfield - including a new record signing. I don’t think we could have hoped for a better outcome after this summer, COYB
He looks big and gangly, runs around all over the place.
BUT he’s only 20 and reminds me so much of Viere that french ex gunner who used to look big and gangly and run around all over the place. We paid a lot for him but that’s not his fault. No doubt he may take time to settle but he has the talent to become a top notch player and while learning the ropes in the premiere he wont be intimidated or bullied.
I think if any of the other top sides were as desperate as Everton for this type of midfielder they would have taken him on.
BUT he’s only 20 and reminds me so much of Viere that french ex gunner who used to look big and gangly and run around all over the place. We paid a lot for him but that’s not his fault. No doubt he may take time to settle but he has the talent to become a top notch player and while learning the ropes in the premiere he wont be intimidated or bullied.
I think if any of the other top sides were as desperate as Everton for this type of midfielder they would have taken him on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbO5uiNIdec
enjoy...a great song....now over to someone to adapt it!!!
I would prefer to sing it in french though!
enjoy...a great song....now over to someone to adapt it!!!
I would prefer to sing it in french though!
Erik, I hope you’re right, I really do! But I reckon that if it does happen (Moyes telling Neville to play RB), it will take a while. Fingers crossed though....
COYB.
COYB.
Vagner Love in January according to the Mirror for 12 million, Blue Bill expecting some serious investment by then???
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/09/02/everton-bank-on-vagner-love-arrival-in-january-115875-20721329/
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/09/02/everton-bank-on-vagner-love-arrival-in-january-115875-20721329/
The best midfield signing of the summer and to sign Saha for nothing, a masterstroke. also Appiah is a free agent out of contract and can still be signed after the deadline, maybe business has not finished yet
After selling jimmy and AJ it seems Moyes transfer fund was £0 .What a Fucking manager what a cunt of a chairman
We have been crying out for an imposing defensive midfielder for as far as I can remember. Carsley was an intelligent player in this role but I hope this guy is fitter and meaner.
Not even in my wildest dreams did i envisage that some fellow evertonians would be be even remotely happy at our current plight,and yet we do get people spouting off saying- stop moaning, great signing,well done bill etc its pathetic.We yet again have been lied to and yet some still lap it up.I myself have vowed never to step foot inside goodison untill bill kenwright walks or is ousted,i still have pride.
guys, i think we have finally landed a class act in Fellaini. this guy is 20 and everyone recently has seen how good he is. deffo stood out against Liverpool. If we can maybe land Moutinho next summer and Love in Jan....then new stadium go ahead, new investors, happy days lol, maybe i’m getting carried away. atleast we have bought some players, so lets get behind them COYB :-)
Am I missing something???
Early reports in Belgium last night claimed the deal to be worth 15 miil EUR (12.8miilGBP)...
So why have we came out today claiming the deal to be upwards of 15mill GBP?/
Anyway doesn’t matter i suppose, a very good sighnig in my eyes if not a little overpriced but at 20 years of age we have every chance of getting 5/6 good years out of him and then being able to sell on if we so wished for a decent fee.
good deal!
Early reports in Belgium last night claimed the deal to be worth 15 miil EUR (12.8miilGBP)...
So why have we came out today claiming the deal to be upwards of 15mill GBP?/
Anyway doesn’t matter i suppose, a very good sighnig in my eyes if not a little overpriced but at 20 years of age we have every chance of getting 5/6 good years out of him and then being able to sell on if we so wished for a decent fee.
good deal!
I’m not sure that this guy IS cup tied.
He played in the CLQ. Not Uefa CUP.
He played in the CLQ. Not Uefa CUP.
So should we be holding our breath until Jan for Love or not? (Not, I know, but who knows...)
Anyone have any substantiated info?
The link from the mirror up there is interesting but says that he would be a record signing for £12m and says nothing about Fellani.
Is this instead of or as well as?
I’ll keep deaming ...
Anyone have any substantiated info?
The link from the mirror up there is interesting but says that he would be a record signing for £12m and says nothing about Fellani.
Is this instead of or as well as?
I’ll keep deaming ...
Made up we have got a couple of signings although people should not be making quotes on players they have seen nothing, I was personally made up we got a keeper as cover as the thought of Howard getting injured was a serious worry, I just now hope Moyes signs and that lying fraud gets a night to remember, so please lads make yourselves heard if you are going, as the Daily Post today stated you are going to be gagged.
Felliaini can tplay till the round of 32 adn also YOBO shuld be our captian the guy is pure class a line up like this gets me going... Howard
Jacobson Yobo Lescott Baines
Arteta Fellaini Castillo Pienaar
Cahill
Yakubu
we shuld switch to the 4-4-2 when saha is fit!!
Jacobson Yobo Lescott Baines
Arteta Fellaini Castillo Pienaar
Cahill
Yakubu
we shuld switch to the 4-4-2 when saha is fit!!
i was just checking out fellaini and went on wiki.
Marouane ’Dixie’ Fellaini-Bakkioui
maybe the middle name is a good omen or simply a wind up ?
good to see more optimism.
COYB!
Marouane ’Dixie’ Fellaini-Bakkioui
maybe the middle name is a good omen or simply a wind up ?
good to see more optimism.
COYB!
To be honest i am just glad the transfer window is closed i’ve never felt so frustrated by them in all my life just hope this new lad is good Moyes signs contract & Kenwright fucks off!!!
Moyes sounds absolutely delighted in his interview this am. Never heard him sound so happy.
Steven,
I think Moyes is just relieved.
Lets give Fellaini a fair chance. Thing is: the Belgian league is one of the weaker leagues in Europe. Kompany was a player like Fellaini and never quite made it at Hamburg. How will Fellaini adapt to the fast Premieship? We will just have to wait and see. I really hope he will be a great signing but I also have my doubts.
I think Moyes is just relieved.
Lets give Fellaini a fair chance. Thing is: the Belgian league is one of the weaker leagues in Europe. Kompany was a player like Fellaini and never quite made it at Hamburg. How will Fellaini adapt to the fast Premieship? We will just have to wait and see. I really hope he will be a great signing but I also have my doubts.
Steve Wolfe your barking mad! (see what i did there) If you had pride you would in there supporting the team through the good and bad times and this is nothing compared to the Johnson era. I think Goodison would be a better place with out anyway, you have nothing worthwhile to say.
So was this money there all along or did Moyes really apply some pressure on his chairman as the day went on yesterday? I honestly believed I’d be waking up to the news that Moyes had walked rather than us spending £15+ million on a midfielder.
There has to be some answers to this summer’s farce and why it took until 11.55pm on 1st September before we actually spent some money.
There has to be some answers to this summer’s farce and why it took until 11.55pm on 1st September before we actually spent some money.
People moaning and gutted about signing Fellaini, jesus christ. He’s a good player, box to box, tidy is possession and very dominant in his play. Phyically players like Gerrard and Alonso couldn’t get to grips with him and there both 6 footers aswell.
He has all the tools to play here, if he works hard and plays his natural game he’ll do well. He’s still 20 though so he’s got alot of time to develop and get better and better.
Moyes has given us what the majority of people of Toffeeweb wanted, a dominant central midfielder who can protect our "Midget gems". He’s a presence and I have no doubts that he’ll be a handfull.
He’s not what I’d ball an out and out defensive midfielder, he’s an all rounder. He gets forward, he gets back and he’s a threat in both penalty boxes.
Physically there aren’t many midfielders who will come out best against him. It’s all about seeing how he adapts to the pace of the English League and our formation.
He has all the tools to play here, if he works hard and plays his natural game he’ll do well. He’s still 20 though so he’s got alot of time to develop and get better and better.
Moyes has given us what the majority of people of Toffeeweb wanted, a dominant central midfielder who can protect our "Midget gems". He’s a presence and I have no doubts that he’ll be a handfull.
He’s not what I’d ball an out and out defensive midfielder, he’s an all rounder. He gets forward, he gets back and he’s a threat in both penalty boxes.
Physically there aren’t many midfielders who will come out best against him. It’s all about seeing how he adapts to the pace of the English League and our formation.
Jonesy, the past few months have been worse than anything in th PJ years IMHO, who knows what may of happened if Royle did not lose the plot when we where getting close, it is only the fact that Moyes has sheilded the shit from that liar that has kept us afloat.
PJ was a fool who gambled and failed big time, but we are in far worse debt now than then in an era that is rife with investment, we also own far less assets now than then.
I totally agree PJ was a prick and was clueless at the club despite friends I know of his still arguing to me that he meant well and is still gutted to how it worked out, but at the end of the day the lists of lies, failures and total fuck ups with this clown far outweigh what PJ did.
But anyway he will hopefully be gone soon and maybe we can dream of moving on up, because under him it is one step forward two steps back.
PJ was a fool who gambled and failed big time, but we are in far worse debt now than then in an era that is rife with investment, we also own far less assets now than then.
I totally agree PJ was a prick and was clueless at the club despite friends I know of his still arguing to me that he meant well and is still gutted to how it worked out, but at the end of the day the lists of lies, failures and total fuck ups with this clown far outweigh what PJ did.
But anyway he will hopefully be gone soon and maybe we can dream of moving on up, because under him it is one step forward two steps back.
Great player robust fast can score and will give defenders a real headache fuck all the doom mongers lay off the lad before hes even kicked a ball get behing the lad and enjoy.
I think Felliani is a great buy and more suited to our needs than Mouthino but I think we paid more than we should and I think the whole "Everton Way" this summer has been a shambles and has significantly affected player’s and supporter’s morale.
As most people know I have gone on for a long time about Kenwright because I cant stand liars and cheats and until he is gone I really dont see our club getting back to being one of the top teams again.
As most people know I have gone on for a long time about Kenwright because I cant stand liars and cheats and until he is gone I really dont see our club getting back to being one of the top teams again.
I think this could be a very good sigining, as i do with the other signings this summer to be fair. I would have liked Obinna too as he would indeed have added a bit of pace to the flanks. Vagner Love in January would be good too but i’ve not seen any concrete links on that one. Hopefully a new contract for Moyes can be signed before the next game now.
A lot of folks seem to think that I wrote this post with a pessimistic intent or that I don’t know anything about football (which is probably true), but I know these few things :
1. The Belgian league is hardly known for producing the cristiano ronaldo’s of this world and 10 Belgian caps do not compare to 10 Portugal, Argentina or Brazil caps. 2 great performances against Liverpool is hardly enough grounds for building a 10 year plan around a player.
2. 15 million is the club record. Its a statement that we have SO MUCH faith in this 20 yo that we’ll totally break that bank and spend more than we ever did on him. Yet, this fella is largely anonymous. He could be a gem (I really hope that he is) or he may not - I’m merely making a point. Imagine if he turns out to be injury prone, or if he finds it difficult to adapt to the premiership. Would we still feel so smug about the 15 big ones ? Will someone else take him off us for 15 million ?
There’s pessimism, there’s optimism and there’s realism. In this particular purchase, we’ve created a new precedent for the club. I just hope that the research done on Felliani was proportional to the money spent on him.
COYB
ps. cant wait to see him in action.
1. The Belgian league is hardly known for producing the cristiano ronaldo’s of this world and 10 Belgian caps do not compare to 10 Portugal, Argentina or Brazil caps. 2 great performances against Liverpool is hardly enough grounds for building a 10 year plan around a player.
2. 15 million is the club record. Its a statement that we have SO MUCH faith in this 20 yo that we’ll totally break that bank and spend more than we ever did on him. Yet, this fella is largely anonymous. He could be a gem (I really hope that he is) or he may not - I’m merely making a point. Imagine if he turns out to be injury prone, or if he finds it difficult to adapt to the premiership. Would we still feel so smug about the 15 big ones ? Will someone else take him off us for 15 million ?
There’s pessimism, there’s optimism and there’s realism. In this particular purchase, we’ve created a new precedent for the club. I just hope that the research done on Felliani was proportional to the money spent on him.
COYB
ps. cant wait to see him in action.
I’m pleased with the signing of the big fella and I feel that whilst he may not have been everyone’s first choice as the big signing, he does tick every box as an ideal replacement for Carsley and for me this type of player is the most important player in each team. He’s the engine which gets the team moving, he’s the first main line of defence and he’s the main initiator of attacks. Carsley became a much better player when he realised his limitations and looked for Gravesen and later Arteta whenever he got the ball. This fella looks like he’s good enough that he won’t have to which means we’ll have far more options in midfield and in some ways an extra player in attack (numbers in attack is something I felt we have struggled on).
The fee, however, I believe (and yes it is only a belief) is not what it seems. I admit this is supposition and conjecture, but I think that Moutinho did not come as Sporting wanted a proper fee, the type you guys think we pay for players, a cold hard lump sum and then further firm payments in a reasonable time. I think Everton are skint and cannot afford it (due to our lines of credit drying up) and so this "£15m deal" is more like a usual Everton deal of £1, £1 next year, 2p every time he makes a tackle and so on with the total overall possible fee being able to reach £15m. Seriously, I suspect that Sporting wanted cold hard cash in quick installments, whilst Liege were persuaded to take a big fee on the never never.
It just does not make sense any other way that Everton have suddenly been able to obtain finance without some form of investment coming in. Yes I know about the sky money, but we would have been able to use that to gain credit ages ago. Finance is very complicated and beyond most people’s understanding. All signings are made using credit streams and there is never a transfer kitty of £15m just sat there waiting to be spent.
The fee, however, I believe (and yes it is only a belief) is not what it seems. I admit this is supposition and conjecture, but I think that Moutinho did not come as Sporting wanted a proper fee, the type you guys think we pay for players, a cold hard lump sum and then further firm payments in a reasonable time. I think Everton are skint and cannot afford it (due to our lines of credit drying up) and so this "£15m deal" is more like a usual Everton deal of £1, £1 next year, 2p every time he makes a tackle and so on with the total overall possible fee being able to reach £15m. Seriously, I suspect that Sporting wanted cold hard cash in quick installments, whilst Liege were persuaded to take a big fee on the never never.
It just does not make sense any other way that Everton have suddenly been able to obtain finance without some form of investment coming in. Yes I know about the sky money, but we would have been able to use that to gain credit ages ago. Finance is very complicated and beyond most people’s understanding. All signings are made using credit streams and there is never a transfer kitty of £15m just sat there waiting to be spent.
Happy to see this guy on board, even though i don’t know that much about him, apart from the 2 games he played against the RS. On what i saw, he looks half decent, however i still feel that there was an air of panic in his signing (£15 million). We’ve had all summer to splash out on players, but decide to leave it to the 59th minute of the 11th hour to finally buy one. If playing catch up with most of our Premier League rivals is the way forward and the Everton way, then you can shove it. Hopefully this guy will turn out to be a real gem, and I would love it if he did just to put the smiles back on the faces of fellow blues, but not to allow that egotistical arsehole Kenwright the platform to glorify himself.
Just remember boys, however bad things feel, we could be Newcastle!! They have just sacked Keegan. Ridiculous! Moyes linked? I would be willing to bet that he is.
Another thing, I don’t think anyone has picked up on it. The medical, did he have one?
As I understand and I may be completely wrong, medicals are done for three reasons: one to satisfy the club, two satisfy the insurance company, and three to satisfy the finance company. Now for someone like Carlo Nash on relatively low wages medicals will not be as thorough.
However, someone like Fellaini, where we are buying him on credit, the medical will have to extremely thorough. How do you rush through a transfer at the last moment? One already have the medical sorted on the quiet a few days before in the hope a deal can be thrashed out. Two do a quick prelimary medical with a thorough to come later. Or thirdly, loan the player and bypass the medical. Is Felliani a loan deal?
As I understand and I may be completely wrong, medicals are done for three reasons: one to satisfy the club, two satisfy the insurance company, and three to satisfy the finance company. Now for someone like Carlo Nash on relatively low wages medicals will not be as thorough.
However, someone like Fellaini, where we are buying him on credit, the medical will have to extremely thorough. How do you rush through a transfer at the last moment? One already have the medical sorted on the quiet a few days before in the hope a deal can be thrashed out. Two do a quick prelimary medical with a thorough to come later. Or thirdly, loan the player and bypass the medical. Is Felliani a loan deal?
Nigel Gregson, just because you don’t know who Fellani is doesn’t mean that his not any good. Geez...some of the people on here I tell you!
This i my first post on this site and i'm writing to complain about the number of Evertonians who just cannot be pleased.
We had our busiest deadline day in recent memory after a whole summer of signing no-one but we still brought in what we needed which is numbers.
Nash may not have the most colourful CV but he is only back up, and can he really be any worse than Wessels?. Saha may be injury prone but with the right service he is a proven Premier League striker and can do the job he's supposed to do. But the thing thats getting to me the most is that we've just smashed our transfer record for one of Europe's hot young prospects and people are STILL talking about "oh we should of signed Mountinho".
The fact is at the end of the day we can only bid for players and it is up to their clubs if they want to sell them or not. Sporting made it clear from day one that they had no intention of selling, hence why his price was inflated from £12mil to £18mil. Same applies to M'bia (who in my opinion was using us to get more money from Rennes). <>P> So just be happy with what we got, cos the same people who are complaining about these transfers are the same people who'd complain if it got to midnight on Deadline Day and they just turned out to be more fruitless rumours. Then what would of happened? They would of spent until january talking about how we should of spent £15mil on Fellaini.
Just get a grip!
I'm sorry but I can't get excited about the signing of Felliani. I've never seen him play or even heard of him until Spurs were linked with him last week.
Of course it is a panic buy. Now I am not going to judge the player before he is given time to demonstrate his worth, but to SMASH the club record transfer fee on a player such as this is risky business.
It would have been a much safer, and wiser tactic, to have kept Carsley over this high risk investment, and also keep Johnson over 2 games a season Saha.
Now that we see money was there, I fully blame David Moyes for this shit summer at EFC, despite this £15m signing.
People also need to remember it is a team and its ability to play as a TEAM which dictates the fortunes of a clubs season. We proved this in 2005. So let's keep our heads up and hope for the best in what will be a very difficult Premier League season.
@ Steve Fern.. its reported that Berbatov had a 2 hour medical at some Manchester hospital before signing for Manure so I assume if the player is fit and playing regularly and dont get injured often prior to the signing the medical wont be as thorough as for a player who have a history of recurring injuries and is always sidelined through injuries or had a nasty nasty injury previously e.g Mikael Forsell, AJ, Sean Davis etc
Fellaini is not a Lee Carsley Replacement. That deal was done with Castillo. Fellaini is much much more, first he is 6’4", with the engine of a Range Rover.
Ever since we were linked with him last season I have prayed we get him. Moutinho would have also been a class player, but at 5’7" odd he would be a tad small to take us up a nxt level. We have creativity it Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar, we have protection (Lee Carsley) with Castillo and hopefully he can pass. But now we have a box-to-box centre mid who will ruffle feathers and i’m sure will pick-up a few yellow cards (maybe red).
Look at the type of football Standard played against liverpool, no long balls, short passes through middle then feeding the wide players, they failed due to lack of striker.
What we now need is a quick, orthodox winger, but that is a job for january. Now its a team of
GK,Howard
DF,Neville, Baines/Lescott, Yobo, Lescott/Jagielka
DFM,Castillo
DFM,CM,ATM,Fellaini
WING,Pienaar, Arteta
ATM,Cahill
SC,Yakubu
with subs of Nash, Jacobsen, Hibbert, Rodwell, Osman, Vaughan, Anichebe, Baxter, Saha.
We are still short in midfield, injuries will still hurt us, but we are a better team than last season.
The first 11 is better and more balanced than anyother outside the top-4, it all depends on how often we can actually play it.
Ever since we were linked with him last season I have prayed we get him. Moutinho would have also been a class player, but at 5’7" odd he would be a tad small to take us up a nxt level. We have creativity it Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar, we have protection (Lee Carsley) with Castillo and hopefully he can pass. But now we have a box-to-box centre mid who will ruffle feathers and i’m sure will pick-up a few yellow cards (maybe red).
Look at the type of football Standard played against liverpool, no long balls, short passes through middle then feeding the wide players, they failed due to lack of striker.
What we now need is a quick, orthodox winger, but that is a job for january. Now its a team of
GK,Howard
DF,Neville, Baines/Lescott, Yobo, Lescott/Jagielka
DFM,Castillo
DFM,CM,ATM,Fellaini
WING,Pienaar, Arteta
ATM,Cahill
SC,Yakubu
with subs of Nash, Jacobsen, Hibbert, Rodwell, Osman, Vaughan, Anichebe, Baxter, Saha.
We are still short in midfield, injuries will still hurt us, but we are a better team than last season.
The first 11 is better and more balanced than anyother outside the top-4, it all depends on how often we can actually play it.
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1 Posted 02/09/2008 at 06:15:56
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