One to Watch: Conor McAleny

, 13 October, 50comments  |  Jump to most recent
Working his way up through the Under-21s
It's 10 months since Conor McAleny made his brief but impressive debut for Everton at Arsenal. He's been out injured for a couple of months with damage to his ankle ligaments but McAleny is quietly building on his reputation as one to watch, after recently signing a new two-year deal at Goodison Park, and believes he can provide Everton with different attacking options in the strikers' department.

He is yet to make further appearances for David Moyes's senior side this season, but the 20-year-old says: “I know it takes time to progress. I want a run of games (for the U21s) and to get fully fit — then I'll see where I am after that.

“I think if I got on for the first team I'd have a good chance of scoring.”

McAleny could offer something different for Moyes. While the Blues boss has height, physicality and brawn in abundance among his striking options there is perhaps room for a waspish player with plenty of intelligence and raw instinct like McAleny.

“I like to stay on the left shoulder and drop in but I'm comfortable doing any forward role — whatever feels natural,” he says. “I like playing as a number 10 or playing as an outright striker.”

With his low centre of gravity and speed of thought McAleny draws fouls which can help his side, McAleny's eyes are set firmly on the future, but he admits his brief flurry of Premier League experience last term left a huge impression on him.

“Maybe I didn't show it and looked calm but inside I was awestruck,” he says. “I didn't even think I'd be on the bench that day and then when they said I was, to be honest I was just thrilled with that.

“But during the game Steve Round was coming over to me telling me things to do if I get on. I just thought he was speaking generally but then he came over while I was warming up and said get your training gear off. I had to repeat it to him and say, “Do you mean me?” He just laughed and said “Yeah you're going on”.

“It all happened so quickly — it was a blur. But as soon as you're on you can just get on with the game.

“I didn't want it to end. I thought I'd scored with that shot and I could see by the Everton fans' reaction how close it was.

“At the end I had no intention of asking to swap shirts. Van Persie walked past me but I thought, ‘This is my first one I'm keeping this'. I've got it framed and signed... There's no way I'd give that away.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Daily Post



Reader Comments (50)

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Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 13/10/2012 at 17:15:41
Drawing fouls shouldn't be on a player's list of attributes.
Jamie Barlow
2 Posted 13/10/2012 at 09:45:16
Why not? It's a pretty useful thing to have.
Kris Boner
3 Posted 13/10/2012 at 17:52:54
Nick, I can't tell if you are insinuating that drawing fouls is the equivalent of diving or if you genuinely don't think there is a skill involved in drawing a player into a situation where he thinks he can get the ball only to get the man instead, thus drawing the foul.
Dave White
4 Posted 13/10/2012 at 18:11:43
Nick, sorry to be direct but that's total arse. When in blue, Arteta was the most fouled player in the Prem and it resulted in numerous scoring opportunities for us.
James Martin
5 Posted 13/10/2012 at 18:18:49
I'm with Nick, I'd rather players concentrated on scoring goals rather than drawing fouls. Fine if the remark is meant as a compliment to his speed, if he's so waspish that players can only foul him to stop him then that's a good thing. Perfecting your ability to draw a foul seems to be effort wasted.

I'd hate to think of a striker getting the ball with the first thought in his mind being 'Can I draw a foul' it should always be 'Can I score'. Arteta was clever enough that if a tackle came in and he wasn't going anywhere he could turn it into a foul whereas, if something was on, he'd often just ride it out or avoid the tackle altogether.
Jamie Barlow
6 Posted 13/10/2012 at 18:34:57
James, it doesn't say anywhere that he'd rather go down for a foul than score a goal or anything about him perfecting his ability to draw a foul.

He obviously gets brought down a lot because he's a nippy little player, that's all.

Nick Entwistle
7 Posted 13/10/2012 at 20:01:49
Its a mentality thing. Take out the words 'draws fouls can' and you're left with...

'With his low centre of gravity and speed of thought, McAleny can help his side'

Which way would you prefer McAleny to take to the pitch? Draw a foul or create something beautiful?

Steve Mink
8 Posted 13/10/2012 at 20:32:39
Disagree. Always thought it was one of Arteta's great attributes it a tight spot - if going nowhere hold the ball close and wait for the foul.
Sam Hoare
9 Posted 13/10/2012 at 21:10:03
I like McAleny. Can't see him getting a run of games here at the moment so I kind of hope that he gets a loan to the Championship and bangs some in there. At 20, that is going to improve him much more I think than playing to crowds of 64 in the U21 league...
Shaun Sparke
10 Posted 13/10/2012 at 22:24:48
A good positive article. This lad seems to show the right attitude. Well done Nick for finding the one slightly negative piece of this article and highlighting it the way you have done. You have a special talent there, not many would have thought to bring that up. You're a fan in a million.
John Harrison
11 Posted 13/10/2012 at 22:59:33
I saw Conor play at Carrow Rd and he looked sharp enough to step up to the first team. Unfortunately he got injured and had to go off but hopefully we have a real prospect.
Oscar Johnathan
12 Posted 13/10/2012 at 23:12:25
Drawing fouls is good. It's something we couldn't do until Arteta came in and schooled a few of our other players. Now Baines, Osman and Jelavic get into double figures in winning fouls every game and we're getting loads more shooting and crossing opportunities where we might have lost the ball or wasted possession.

Diving is bad. But there's a clear distinction between winning a foul like Arteta and simulating like Suarez.
Andy Crooks
13 Posted 14/10/2012 at 00:49:22
Arteta draws fouls, Suarez cheats. All depends who you support I suppose.I'm with Nick Entwistle on this one. I can just imagine Matt Busby when he first saw George Best.

"Yeah, this lad will win us plenty of fouls".

Oscar, have a read at your post again. Shaun, your criticism of Nick is pure nonsense. For all my criticism of David Moyes I utterly respect the fact that he will not tolerate cheating."Drawing fouls" for fucks sake.

Jamie Barlow
14 Posted 14/10/2012 at 01:48:04
"Arteta draws fouls, Suarez cheats. All depends who you support I suppose"

Not at all. One of them cheats, one of them draws fouls.

It doesn't matter who you support.

Anto Byrne
15 Posted 14/10/2012 at 05:11:11
I could see Barkley playing alongside Gibson, adding a bit of creativity with his willingness to attack and carry the ball forward. It would be good to have an attacking option in McAleny off the bench that brings something new to the side.

I am wondering if Vellios will get a run of games with Jelavic as he seems to be out of favour and has not been seen so far this season. I think he would do well if he got the service, which was sadly lacking until we got going in January with Donavon, PIenaar and Gibson being added to the side.
Mike Allison
16 Posted 14/10/2012 at 07:53:53
'Drawing fouls' is not the same as cheating, what nonsense! Suarez gets into the box and then dives, that's cheating. Arteta used to sucker a player into making a rash challenge, and get genuinely fouled, as in contact between defender and attacker.

Nick, if McAleny can score, I'm sure he will try to. If he has the ball with two men on him and a packed defence, then trying to take them on will 'draw a foul' if he has the ability to move the ball quicker than the defender's feet can move.

Andy, I've read Oscar's post again, I don't think you understand a crucial distinction in this conversation.

I think maybe it says more about your mentality that you assumed that meant cheating or diving. It means tempting the defender into trying to tackle you but being able to move the ball quickly enough to avoid being tackled. If you're so quick he doesn't touch you at all then brilliant, get on and do something, but in my experience most of the players that are that good are called Lionel Messi.

And Nick, are you telling me a Leighton Baines free kick into the top corner isn't beautiful?

Ian Bennett
17 Posted 14/10/2012 at 08:13:44
He would be better off shooting than drawing a foul for a pen that's for sure. The current exchange rate is terrible, 3 fouls before a pen is given I make it.
Andy Crooks
18 Posted 14/10/2012 at 09:07:29
Mike, I am obviously missing this apparently clear distinction between drawing fouls and cheating. I believe that Everton cheat less than most because of David Moyes but it happens often enough. I think it was Osman a while ago who took a dive, the ineptitude of which made him look hilarious.

Jamie (#424); Suarez cheats, Arteta doesn't. Black and white then. I believe that Suarez is the most despicable cheat I have ever seen playing football and a hateful fucker to boot and if he "draws fouls" in the derby, I'll call him a cheat .

Shaun Sparke
19 Posted 14/10/2012 at 09:56:33
Andy: "pure nonsense". Thanks for your considered and insightful viewpoint. The author of this piece is the only person who has alluded to "drawing fouls"/ My concern is that by Nick highlighting this phrase then the message gets blurred somewhat and this then becomes attributed to what Conor thinks his role in the team is.

Now it is this that should be described as pure nonsense as the poor lad seems to just want to play football and score goals. But, instead of this, we are now having a debate on whether Everton players should cheat or not. It was never about that at all which is why I find it difficult to understand why this particular phrase was picked out of an otherwise positive article.
Kase Chow
20 Posted 14/10/2012 at 10:14:58
'drawing fouls' is merely a comment that is incidental.

FFS

What a thing to focus on!!!

Andy Crooks
21 Posted 14/10/2012 at 10:13:06
Fair comment, Shaun. It is a good positive article and I hope Conor gets a chance and grabs it. For some strange reason, Shaun, my comments are more considered on a Sunday morning.
Barry Rathbone
22 Posted 14/10/2012 at 10:03:19
Nick is right: "Drawing a foul" is a mealy mouthed attribute.

I can recall chants and songs about scoring goals and hard tackling defenders but "drawing a foul"?

It's the modern idiom of general over analysis of a simple game and quite frankly talking bollocks about anything to do with football.

The eulogising of David Beckham for taking a good corner being the start of it.

Mike Green
23 Posted 14/10/2012 at 11:57:15
I was at the Emirates for his debut and he did more in a 10-minute cameo than the rest had in the first 80, he did great and almost got a goal.

'Drawing fouls...' is an unhelpful comment as it's nothing but cheating and Conor, from what I saw of him, didn't really look the type any way. Why not comment on his ability, he seems to have plenty?

Danny Kewley
24 Posted 14/10/2012 at 12:01:13
After reading all the posts on this subject, I re-read the article twice just to see if
it merited all the attention on "drawing a foul".

I like this kid McAleny, he's got a great attitude and you can tell from his response about when he made his debut, that he is a true Blue. He is definitely one for the near future!

About "Drawing a foul" — isn't that true about any skillful player? The real skill and guile is all about avoiding tackles and Conor has got the talent to do this.
Tom Bowers
25 Posted 14/10/2012 at 13:56:18
He may be drawing fouls because he is slightly built but, either way, it can only be good if the free-kick results in something which isn't every time.

Personally, I would take any build-up of young players at Everton with a pinch of salt. Apart from Rooney, very few have made the grade and even he flew the coop very early. We could all name a long list of potentials who fell by the wayside and at the top is Jeffers (now in Malta!!!!!!)

However, we can only hope that McAleny makes it for the good of the club and I suppose it depends on Moyes giving him more opportunities but he doesn't even give that many to existing fringe players.
Phil Sammon
26 Posted 14/10/2012 at 14:50:42
It doesn't take long for these threads to decend into the obscure and the rudiculous.

Conor is quick and skilful. He takes players on and is therefore more likely to draw more challenges.

There's people on this site that need therapy. How you can spin this into a negative is beyond me.

Wayne Smyth
27 Posted 14/10/2012 at 16:20:45
I'm with Phil.

I also think some folks really need to improve on their reading comprehension.

Just because a player "draws fouls", it doesn't necessarily mean that:

a) he looks to do so at the expense of creating something.
or
b) he cheats.

It just means that he gets fouled a lot.

Messi, Walcott, Arteta, Pienaar, Ronaldo. All very, very good players who "draw fouls" because they are too quick/intelligent/good for the opposition to handle without fouling them.

If Conor has attributes which mean the opposition have to foul him a lot, then it's just another weapon in our arsenal to beat teams with.

Mike Green
28 Posted 14/10/2012 at 18:07:15
Wayne 491 - I understand what you're saying, fair enough.

By your definition and the articles it's implying that 'drawing a foul' is more beneficial than continuing with open play, else why mention it as a positive, which is both disrespectful to the player and the spirit of the game. If it said, 'Unfortunately, due to x y z he draws a lot if fouls" then fair enough.

Brian Waring
29 Posted 14/10/2012 at 20:48:16
Drawing a foul isen't a problem when there is enough contact to go down, the problem with Arteta, he went down too easily, it only took the slightest touch and he was down.
Mike Allison
30 Posted 14/10/2012 at 21:36:56
Andy, when you draw a foul, the player actually fouls you. When you dive, he doesn't. Is that a clear enough distinction? I'm pretty surprised that there is any debate about this.

Going back to Messi, he draws fouls all the time by running at people, the difference is, he's so good and well balanced he can stay on his feet anyway and keep going.

The phrase 'drawing fouls' is not being used here as a euphemism or synonym for diving. It is intended to be a clearly different thing. it is also a good and important skill if you find yourself isolated, surrounded by opponents with no passing options.

Mike Green
31 Posted 14/10/2012 at 22:02:29
I.e. I can't play my way out of this so I'll........ cheat...... but only a little bit.
Jamie Sweet
32 Posted 14/10/2012 at 22:28:21
Admitedly I've only got all the videos of the U21's on Everton tv to go on, but he certainly looks like he's got something about him which could make him a useful first teamer in the not too distant future. Scored a cracker the other week and always looks lively.

The new "Scottish McFadden" Matthew Kennedy has also stood out at times.

We're not as completely devoid of young talent as some people like to point out. Whether any of them have enough class to make the step up to the Premier League is another matter. And the rather OTT uproar after Moyes dared to make a few changes for the Leeds game, probably means we won't see any more youngsters risked in any competitions for a long long time.

Tom Dodds
33 Posted 15/10/2012 at 00:14:38
My take: I've been wandering round the house, arms outstretched, head hanging to one side and slobbering down my arm, gibbering 'draws fouls'.... I'm also trying desperately to recapture my escaped brain.

I'm made up he's signed. I saw the Arsenal near miss, the pre-season games in the States 18 months ago... I really want to see this kid start to get some chances. He was once quoted as the new Michael Owen.

Draws fouls...?!!? Aaaarrgghhh!!!!
Sam Hoare
34 Posted 15/10/2012 at 10:53:44
At 20 I think Conor needs a good run for the reserve team or preferably a good loan to a championship team where he will start week in week out. Players of his size are always likely to find the going tough in the very physical Premier league and only the best control and technique (a la Cazorla and Silva) will see him cut it. I reckon he might just have those attributes and hopefully will get a little game time as the season goes on though not sure where he would play? Behind Jelavic? On the wing?
Mike Allison
35 Posted 15/10/2012 at 16:02:17
Mike is that a response to me? If so I can only say that is one of the worst examples of deliberately missing a point I've ever seen. No, its not cheating at all. Its being fouled. It is possible to play in such a way as to commit an opponent to a tackle in which they will not be successful. I'm not talking about diving, simulation, kicking their leg and going over etc. I'm talking about showing the ball then moving it, running at them in a way that makes them think they can win the ball when they can't, having quicker feet than them. Do you need me to say it any other ways?

Remember this: "when you draw a foul, the player actually fouls you. When you dive, he doesn't. Is that a clear enough distinction?"

Remember this: "The phrase 'drawing fouls' is not being used here as a euphemism or synonym for diving. It is intended to be a clearly different thing."

I don't see how it could be any clearer. You are either being thick or dishonest, or think you're being funny and are just a wind-up merchant. I'd like you to apologise for that post or explain which of those three options applies to you.

Can give an honest and straightforward answer to this question: do you think being fouled by an opponent is cheating?

Andy Crooks
36 Posted 15/10/2012 at 18:11:46
Okay,Mike # 618. I get the point that there is a distinction between diving(cheating) and "drawing fouls.

A player may find himself in a position where he has nowhere to go and no options other than to invite a foul. It seems to me though, it might be a reflection on a player's ability. The great player might try someting special and achieve something great. Others will take a free kick. I think a young player should consider trying something special.

I'm not being argumentative ,Mike, merely suggesting that in ideal world I'd rather our young players weren't looking for free kicks. Having said that, if Jelavic "draws a foul against Liverpool and Baines slams home the free kick your distinction will be as clear as daylight.

Mike Allison
37 Posted 16/10/2012 at 13:11:04
Okay Andy, but what if he tries something special and gets fouled?!
Andy Crooks
38 Posted 16/10/2012 at 13:15:10
Mike, I surrender!!
Nick Entwistle
39 Posted 16/10/2012 at 13:13:56
The term is drawing a foul. Verb to draw. So what is a player doing when drawing a foul? And why isn't he trying to create something instead?

I don't think drawing fouls is something specific, but say Arteta, he had great control and without pace could go past people and without that pace to create a gap, last ditch challenges would bring him down in a tangle of legs.

I'm with Barry, it's a term come about through the over-analysis of a simple game.

Jamie Barlow
40 Posted 16/10/2012 at 13:44:49
Mike@618, spot on.

I can't get my head around why it's even debatable.

Drawing a foul us all about quick feet.

He probably doesn't look for fouls but because he has quick feet, he draws the odd foul.

It's not cheating. He doesn't dive. It's just what happens.

Mike Allison
41 Posted 16/10/2012 at 15:26:23
Nick, verb 'to draw' could be passive or active. 'To attract' is another example. If I seem to attract weirdos, or insecure women, or flies, am I actually doing anything? No, its passive, but we still use a verb because I'm the subject of the sentence. A player can deliberately play for a foul because he has no other option (active), or he can just get fouled because his style of play is one that leads to being fouled (passive). The phrase can mean both of these things and its not clear in the article which is meant, or even if either is specifically intended.

As for 'why isn't he trying to create something', assuming the former, the answer is simple, actively drawing a foul is much easier, and a higher percentage move more likely to benefit the team than trying something extremely difficult which is likely to result in giving away possession. If we had a player who constantly tried to do special things that would make him look amazing if they worked but they never do, a) Moyes wouldn't pick him and b) the fans would get on his back for trying to be Hollywood the whole time rather than doing what's best for the team.

I get that you're trying to promote virtuous football and the beautiful game and I can applaud that, but its just not right in every situation. Even the mega-rich clubs who can buy anyone they want don't try to play like that, its a bit much to expect us sacrifice ourselves for the noble cause isn't it?

Nick Entwistle
42 Posted 16/10/2012 at 16:41:55
Ahhh, Mike. The passive verb. That is why I don't like to be clean shaven. People think I'm a cop, or worse, an estate agent. But the reason I mention this is, I attract people asking for directions. Take out the Wilkinson Sword then boom! Takes no more than 30 minutes for someone to say 'Hi, do you know how to get to such and such a place'? Walked through Piccadilly Circus once, not lying, I ended up with a queue of people! Wardour Street, Waterstones, Trafalga Square... I was on fire. Gave out directions like a freaking sat-nav. Guess I just got me an approachable face. But I got no care for my talent, helping tourists is hell of a thing. Even as I type I sport the stubble so I don't get the hassle. But then my Wilkinson Sword is double edged. With this stubble it only attracts young attractive women in bars! A lot! Never had a queue mind. Why can't people just leave me alone...
Mike Allison
43 Posted 16/10/2012 at 18:15:58
"With this stubble it only attracts young attractive women in bars! A lot!"

Does it lead to you attempting to create something beautiful/special?

Nick Entwistle
44 Posted 16/10/2012 at 19:06:55
Mike, the temptation for childish football based puns here is too high...
Jamie Sweet
45 Posted 16/10/2012 at 23:11:27
Speaking of creating something special out of nothing – I'm impressed that a rather innocuous comment in an article can create such a special debate.

Toffeewebber 1: "The sky is blue"

Toffeewebber 2: "It isn't at night time though is it"

And so on.....


p.s Mike Allison won this round for sure. Well played Mike!

Andy Crooks
46 Posted 17/10/2012 at 00:21:27
Jamie, Mike only won this thread by kicking us off the pitch.Had I been the type of player to go down easily(draw a foul) the result might well have been different.
Kev Lacey
47 Posted 17/10/2012 at 12:41:15
I can't believe how much procrastination and childish, pointless arguments an observation from a journalist has caused!

Not a quote from the lad himself, Moyes or anyone directly involved with the club but Greg O'Keefe, who basically says (and I'm paraphrasing) he's little and quick and therefore is likely to win free-kicks! For fucks sake, imagine the argument and debate if we ever talked about anything serious like a new ground or club ownership... oh, wait!

Mike Allison
48 Posted 17/10/2012 at 16:55:23
Er... its a man's game Andy?

(First and last time I'll ever even paraphrase Jamie Carragher).

Michael Johnson
49 Posted 18/10/2012 at 08:11:10
Adam Davis (ex keeper) is one of my mates and I was talking about how good Ross Barkley could possibly be , he mentioned that it wasent Ross we should be watching its this guy, Conor Mcalney
Derek Thomas
50 Posted 18/10/2012 at 08:24:12
Or, Jamie # 833, we have T'Webber's 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 etc etc etc...aka ' all the usual suspects ' and it turns into a martinmasonicmarathon. It has been said before that while we are all Blues, to put us together and expect some type of Stepford wives conformity is a triumph of hope over experience ( a bit like a 2nd marriage ) ... I believe that ' fight like cats in a bag' is how it goes.

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