The Rumour Mill, Season 2011-12
Spartak eyeing Heitinga
03/02/2012 | 
Comments (37)
Not content with having signed Diniyar Bilyaletdinov from Everton last week, Spartak Moscow are apparently interested in bringing John Heitinga to Russia as well before their transfer window closes in the middle of this month.
Comments (37)
At a mere £4.2m, though, and with David Moyes short on fit centre halves, that's got to be a non-starter.
Heitinga has two and a half years left on his current contract and would surely command a transfer fee of at least double this reported amount.
Original Source: Daily Mail
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Shedloads of Kopeks from Russian gangsters - sorry, oligarchs - could always count in this situation. Who knows?
And yes, I'm afraid we are blessed with two very similar top class players - Jonny and Jags - plus a very good Distin, and a very glad to have Duffy lining up for two places. Shane will have to wait and wait. In my book, Sylvain should have to warm the bench too. But how Moyes plays this is beyond us mortal folk.
Heitinga looks like a man enjoying himself (except against Howard Webb) who has already booked his place in the Maldives for his old age.
I don't gamble, but I'd bet he's staying.
And yes, I'm afraid we are blessed with two very similar top class players - Jonny and Jags - plus a very good Distin, and a very glad to have Duffy lining up for two places. Shane will have to wait and wait. In my book, Sylvain should have to warm the bench too. But how Moyes plays this is beyond us mortal folk.
Heitinga looks like a man enjoying himself (except against Howard Webb) who has already booked his place in the Maldives for his old age.
I don't gamble, but I'd bet he's staying.
Playing in his best position, our ex-World Cup Finalist is putting in £12Mill + performances. He isn't too old, 2.5 years on his contract. So, if he wants to go, £15mill+.
£10M minimum.
Hope he stays, But yes, if darling Jags goes straight back in then we might as well cash in cos he'd every right to be pissed off and his performances would probably suffer on the odd occasion he'd get a game. Funny how another scenario Moyes would never have dreamt of comes off, cos the defence has looked good recently without Hoofball Jags. And surely with Gibson and Pienaar in there cant be any midfield places for him. Now that is a good move by Moyes.
Can anyone recall if Moyes has played Heitinga together with Distin before? I think that'd be a great centre-back pairing + fits with Moyes' philosophy of having both right-footed and left-footed centre-backs.
Take the money. Put Shane Duffy there. Better than the other way around.
Has to be Duffy and JH for me. I think Duffy going forward is a plus. Jagielka can defend and so can Hibbert and Neville but they are very limited as footballers in terms of all-round ability when we compare them to Baines.
Against Citeh, Moyes gambled on experience and it paid off but, with a bit better finishing from Citeh, it could have been a lot different. I'm hoping Pienaar has a point to prove and plays well for us.
I don't see a future for Drenthe at EFC but I do like the Stracq so I'm hopeful he gets a run of games to prove himself worthy of that shirt.
Against Citeh, Moyes gambled on experience and it paid off but, with a bit better finishing from Citeh, it could have been a lot different. I'm hoping Pienaar has a point to prove and plays well for us.
I don't see a future for Drenthe at EFC but I do like the Stracq so I'm hopeful he gets a run of games to prove himself worthy of that shirt.
I have got to admit Johnny has started to win me over with his recent performances at CB, I am a big fan of Distan, but age is not on his side, we have a great prospect in Duffy, so I would sit down with JH and ask him what is aspirations are, I cant see him being captain anytime soon but a few years down the line then certainly. Dont let him go anywhere.
I think they did earlier this season at least, Rob.
For me, if Johnny got sold for anything less than "an offer too good to refuse", I would lose all faith in the club to keep good players.
Would rather see Jags sold/just benched than see Heitinga leave.
For me, if Johnny got sold for anything less than "an offer too good to refuse", I would lose all faith in the club to keep good players.
Would rather see Jags sold/just benched than see Heitinga leave.
We took a hit losing money on Bily, though to be honest I was surprised we got what we did for him. However, I cannot believe we would be so stupid as to even contemplate taking anything less than the reported 6 mill we paid for him.
Young Duffy seems to be coming through really well and a definite for the future.
Distin, regardless of his age is still excellent and a presence we lack, height wise, with Jags and JH.
I believe either JH or Jags will go if the right offer comes along either now whilst the Russian transfer window is open or next close season.
Neither can play midfield and neither will be happy on the bench.
We still desperately need money.
We need improvement elsewhere and if cash generated from the sale of either of them can be used fully by the manager then I think one should go.
Young Duffy seems to be coming through really well and a definite for the future.
Distin, regardless of his age is still excellent and a presence we lack, height wise, with Jags and JH.
I believe either JH or Jags will go if the right offer comes along either now whilst the Russian transfer window is open or next close season.
Neither can play midfield and neither will be happy on the bench.
We still desperately need money.
We need improvement elsewhere and if cash generated from the sale of either of them can be used fully by the manager then I think one should go.
^John, Moyes won't be able to use the money as the transfer window is closed and it will be lost in the 'other operating costs' by the summer.
We also have an example of what I was saying in another thread about the value of our playing assets on the books. Fans think that Heitinga is worth £10~15 million, but a potential buyer only values him at £4.2 million.
It's the same for our other assets I'm afraid.
We also have an example of what I was saying in another thread about the value of our playing assets on the books. Fans think that Heitinga is worth £10~15 million, but a potential buyer only values him at £4.2 million.
It's the same for our other assets I'm afraid.
Eric
A house is on the Market for 300K, you offer 200K. Is that your valuation of the property or your opening offer, subject to negotiation.
In times of austerity, if your not embarrassed by your offer, it's too high.
A house is on the Market for 300K, you offer 200K. Is that your valuation of the property or your opening offer, subject to negotiation.
In times of austerity, if your not embarrassed by your offer, it's too high.
Take your point Eric about any fee received in February going straight to the bank. Maybe in the summer after a good showing at the Euros? As I said I hope JH stays and would much prefer to get rid of Jagielka who I think is distinctly average - at best. Mind you maybe he'll have a run at the Euros as it looks as if John Terry is persona non grata.
Dont sell anybody for fucks sake . Have you all forgotten that we have one of the tiniest squads in the league ? When players get injured you need replacements fast . We"re lucky that we now have a squad getting near to a full regular complement for a Premier League side
What is happening with Yobo.
Will he walk for free. Or will we get some money back?
Will he walk for free. Or will we get some money back?
Heitinga is a top class player and should not be sold full stop. Playing in the right position he is our best defender.Also he has bags of spirit.Jags and Distin will have to wait for a place in the team because Johnny is playing so well, likewise Denis should stay in the team. If Denis gets a good run of starts his confidence will grow and he will become a great asset to Everton.Do not sell Johnny!
Heitinga has looked the quality player many of us believe he is. To sell him now would be a huge mistake. His leadership qualities are there for all to see. I'd make him captain.
Johnny is a superb CB and he would always be first choice for me.
He and Distin would be my partnership, he has great positional sense, the Dutch arrogant attitude which can be a plus and above all he always tends to PASS out of defence.
However, I reckon come the close season he may be off, £12m please then but definitely not this month, that would be madness.
He and Distin would be my partnership, he has great positional sense, the Dutch arrogant attitude which can be a plus and above all he always tends to PASS out of defence.
However, I reckon come the close season he may be off, £12m please then but definitely not this month, that would be madness.
I agree with Michael W (#323)
He is playing like a world cup finalist, and I would make him club captain. Responsibility seems to bring the best out of him. Sell Rodwell if anybody - you would get twice the money and lose half the player.
Come on you Blues.
He is playing like a world cup finalist, and I would make him club captain. Responsibility seems to bring the best out of him. Sell Rodwell if anybody - you would get twice the money and lose half the player.
Come on you Blues.
Hes 2nd highest player at club and playing ok . He ain't a world class centre back and has played ok for 4 matches . He's a v good utility player nothing more and would command between 5-8mil . I'd like him to stay but don't go overboard it's like sayin hibbert should now play centre half cos of 1 terrific performance
Jags is pacier and probably a better tackler, but in terms of all round play Heitinga is a better player. To start with he plays the ball out of defence instead of hoofing it.Jags would bring in more money (his price will only start falling now) and I would prefer a youngster like Duffy to play alongside Heitinga (early days but it has the potential to be a decent partnership). I just get the impression he talks them through the game more. Heitinga also has that mean streak in him. I don't want Everyone players to go out and intentionally hurt people, but every team needs a couple of players with a bit of metal.
Heitinga is now our number one central defender. He's at least as good a defender as the other two, he's the best organiser of the three and the best user of the ball. He also has more experience of other leagues and internationally. I don't know if people realise but he's also the youngest as well. He also seems to have the biggest personality and can impose himself on a game and an opposition in a way the other two don't even think of. Witness his 'bump' on Ashley Cole last year and whatever verbals he was giving to Dzeko the other night that the big lad didn't seem up to coping with. I think this also gives our other players, especially younger ones, the confidence to think we can take anyone on, something Moyes perhaps doesn't always instil in his players against the richer clubs.
With all this in mind he should be one of the first names on our teamsheet for a long time to come, and it would have to take a massive, massive bid for us to even think about it.
With all this in mind he should be one of the first names on our teamsheet for a long time to come, and it would have to take a massive, massive bid for us to even think about it.
By the way, if you think he's a utility player you haven't been paying attention. He's pretty poor in midfield and doesn't seem comfortable at right back. He has one position, and now that he's (finally) playing in it regularly we're seeing what he can do.
I don't think Moyes fancies Johnny at the back to be honest.
Financially we can't afford to keep players when their value drops of the cliff I.e 29-30. Jagielka is at that point and swe should look to realise as much as possible for him and re-invest.
Whether this goes on players or infrastructure doesn't matter to me. Either way it help's the club and brings a new opportunity to develop. That could ber Duffy, a new stand or paying a debt whioch makes us more saleable.
I can't see this happening. I can see Moyes playing the Jag and Distin once both are fully fit and Heitinga moving on after a few months on the bench, probably for less than he's worth.
You can tell when a player is one of Moyes favourites by how he treats them. I don't think Johnny will ever be one ahead of the others.
Financially we can't afford to keep players when their value drops of the cliff I.e 29-30. Jagielka is at that point and swe should look to realise as much as possible for him and re-invest.
Whether this goes on players or infrastructure doesn't matter to me. Either way it help's the club and brings a new opportunity to develop. That could ber Duffy, a new stand or paying a debt whioch makes us more saleable.
I can't see this happening. I can see Moyes playing the Jag and Distin once both are fully fit and Heitinga moving on after a few months on the bench, probably for less than he's worth.
You can tell when a player is one of Moyes favourites by how he treats them. I don't think Johnny will ever be one ahead of the others.
Jags is a good tackler alright,because he makes so many mistakes he has to make these last ditch tackles that make him look good. Good central defenders rarely have to tackle. Should've sold him in the summer.
Michael and Tony, could not agree more. I've fancied him as captain since at least the start of this season, maybe longer. I don't have a problem with Neville as captain, but on the occasions when he hasn't played, I have always been somewhat perplexed by Moyes' selections as stand in. Johnny has captain written all over him, and to think that Baines has worn the armband and he hasn't is a very odd thing indeed.
If Johnny takes the bait-and I`ve never thought he feels at home here-it will because he wants to go.But at that price,definitely no deal!
I think Johnny will be off in the summer, I don't see him sticking around.
Richard, You getting your defence in early there?
Very Gerrard-esque!!!
Very Gerrard-esque!!!
I think we would be very foolish to sell Heitinga. I think there is a crafty old bugger at the end of the East Lancs, who will be sniffing around Duffy quite soon, as his defence to my mind isn't up to what he would like it to be.
Bit premature to be suggesting we get rid of either an England or Netherlands international centre half when Distin is 34 and Duffy has JUST turned 20. Ultimately we need to keep them all. Football is a squad game and this is one position where, for now, we look ok. However, Duffy is still inexperienced and will play a bit part for at least a couple of seasons before we find out if he'll have a long career at Everton. Distin will probably retire in a couple of seasons.
Mike two seasons ago he played in a 5 with arteta piennar Fellini and then Donovan or coleman . He was superb as was the team . He also played with the Ozzie at the back and was great and played on right side of midfield and did a decent job . Crap at right back as not quick enough . You see mike I judge him since he's been here not on back of 1 game.
I've also seen that mouth is all he is , he ain't hard doesn't have mettle and truth be told he' s a bit of a shithouse . Like I said utility player, good footballer but not even close to jags as a centre half
I've also seen that mouth is all he is , he ain't hard doesn't have mettle and truth be told he' s a bit of a shithouse . Like I said utility player, good footballer but not even close to jags as a centre half
I'm not judging him on one game either, don't be daft. I disagree that he's ever been superb in our midfield and I don't remember him on the right of our midfield.
I think your criticism of him as a 'shithouse' who is all mouth and doesn't have the 'mettle' is an opinion directly formed from his poor performances in midfield where frankly, he doesn't really know what he's doing and has missed tackles whilst trying to come across as a hard man.
He's also a better than Jagielka as a centre half as, as someone mentioned above, he doesn't continually find himself having to make those blocks and tackles that make people think Jagielka is so good. The best centre backs don't seem to be doing a right lot because they are in control, in position and rarely need to make desperate last ditch tackles. Jagielka seems to have to do this a lot more than anyone else.
So as I said, not good enough in any position other than centre back, but better than any other player in the club in that position.
I think your criticism of him as a 'shithouse' who is all mouth and doesn't have the 'mettle' is an opinion directly formed from his poor performances in midfield where frankly, he doesn't really know what he's doing and has missed tackles whilst trying to come across as a hard man.
He's also a better than Jagielka as a centre half as, as someone mentioned above, he doesn't continually find himself having to make those blocks and tackles that make people think Jagielka is so good. The best centre backs don't seem to be doing a right lot because they are in control, in position and rarely need to make desperate last ditch tackles. Jagielka seems to have to do this a lot more than anyone else.
So as I said, not good enough in any position other than centre back, but better than any other player in the club in that position.
Richard (346), there are very few European players who would or indeed do choose to play in the Russian League. Obviously money talks, and if the contract offer was substantial I'm sure he'd more than consider it.
However, for the reputed fee I doubt Moyes will sell, unless your deity Kim Jong Bill forces him to. The fact is Moyes loves his utility players. And whilst some of us may think that Jags, Jonny and Neville should never be allowed near central midfield, Moyes has and does play them there.
Of course it's a case of having to make the best out of the resources available, and good players though they are, a team of Jagielka's and Neville's never won anything. (Just reminiscing about the time when we competed. On as well as off the pitch).
However, for the reputed fee I doubt Moyes will sell, unless your deity Kim Jong Bill forces him to. The fact is Moyes loves his utility players. And whilst some of us may think that Jags, Jonny and Neville should never be allowed near central midfield, Moyes has and does play them there.
Of course it's a case of having to make the best out of the resources available, and good players though they are, a team of Jagielka's and Neville's never won anything. (Just reminiscing about the time when we competed. On as well as off the pitch).
If only we would change formation, we could accommodate Heitinga, Jagielka and Distin.
*After Donovan leaves
GK Howard
CB Heitinga
CB Jagielka
CB Distin
WB Coleman
CM Gibson
CM Fellaini
CM Pienaar
WB Baines
FW Straq/Anichebe/Cahill
FW Jelavic
Obviously this won't happen but it not only solves the problem but also looks more capable in attack (which is why it won't happen!)
*After Donovan leaves
GK Howard
CB Heitinga
CB Jagielka
CB Distin
WB Coleman
CM Gibson
CM Fellaini
CM Pienaar
WB Baines
FW Straq/Anichebe/Cahill
FW Jelavic
Obviously this won't happen but it not only solves the problem but also looks more capable in attack (which is why it won't happen!)
If you had been paying attention you would know that I stated looooong ago that Johnny was far and away our best centre back, he just needed a run of games to prove it.
And lo and behold he's had a run of games and is proving it.
I'm here most days if you require any more sage observations.
And lo and behold he's had a run of games and is proving it.
I'm here most days if you require any more sage observations.
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279 Posted 03/02/2012 at 23:16:38
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Guess all depends on what happens when Jags & Distin return from injury. If he stays in the team then we probably have a good chance of getting him to extend his contract and stay long term.
Being dropped though after getting his act together big time in this run may well send him to another club.
Which, IMO would be a big shame