Mirallas left out of matchday squad

Sunday, 27 August, 2017 79comments  |  Jump to most recent
Updated Kevin Mirallas was a surprise omission from the squad to face Chelsea today amid talk he could move before the transfer deadline.

The Belgian international hasn't featured in either of the last two games after coming on as a late substitute in the season opener against Stoke City and was an unlikely starter at Stamford Bridge given Sandro Ramirez's return from injury.

The Spaniard was named in Ronald Koeman's side for the game against the Champions while Mirallas was spotted at Manchester airport with his former club Olympiacos rumoured to be interested in taking him on loan.

Koeman explained that Mirallas was left out of the team because of his attitude and not because of any impending transfer but his future looks bleak at Goodison Park just weeks into the new season.  



Reader Comments (79)

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Mark Morrissey
1 Posted 27/08/2017 at 14:35:23
If true, I'm staggered given our lack of firepower. I hope there are a few deadline day surprises otherwise our squad is going to be very thin.
Tony Everan
2 Posted 27/08/2017 at 14:38:50
I think it was the final straw for him last Thursday; toys are out of the pram big time. He doesn't want to be a bench warmer so he's off.
Robin Cannon
3 Posted 27/08/2017 at 15:25:42
I could just about see selling him if we're bringing in other players. Sending him on loan, as appears to be rumored, seems crazy.
Clive Rogers
4 Posted 27/08/2017 at 15:29:12
He's never been quite good enough. Five years and three managers but never a first choice under any of them.
Jimmy Salt
5 Posted 27/08/2017 at 15:47:39
Agree with Clive. Not good enough. He seemed like he was the real deal but was never the same after the Suarez tackle in the derby.
William Cartwright
6 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:26:21
You're right Jimmy, that awful tackle stands out in my mind as a watershed in his performances. One never knows at what subliminal a nasty tackle / injury can have on a player, especially a speedy attacker who generally tend to be on the receiving end.

I recall the game against West Ham where he really performed to the hilt, but otherwise, top performances are very few and far between.

If he goes then I wish him well. COYB

Clive Rogers
8 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:29:44
He is a striker for whom it was soon decided he was not good enough to play as one so he was pushed out to the wing. He is not a winger, very rarely crossing the ball. His only real move is cutting across the box for a shot which has been Sussex.
Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:41:47
When they gave him a new three-year deal a few months ago, I couldn't understand it, unless it was to get a decent fee for him sooner or later; looks like it is sooner.
David McMullen
10 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:47:13
See ya.
Bob Parrington
11 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:50:42
Mark #1 Yes and speed. If the rumour is right, there must be some coach-player mismatch. Shit happens, eh?
Kieran Kinsella
12 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:52:52
We are going to have a hard time becoming a top four team if every time someone is benched they demand a transfer. We already saw Barry leave, similar with Cleverley.
Chris Williams
13 Posted 27/08/2017 at 16:53:42
He was left out because of a poor attitude, according to Koeman. Asked if he was on his way he said "I don't know".
Alan Burnham
14 Posted 27/08/2017 at 17:01:51
Mirallas has plenty of faults but the problem is that our squad is so utterly bereft of players with any kind of attacking quality that seeing anyone go without replacement is worrying.

I hate to draw comparisons but having just watched the other crowd demolish Arsenal in the first 45 minutes where are the EFC signings that can excite as much as Mane, Firmino, Salah? We just keep accumulating midfield workhorses.

Alan Humphreys
15 Posted 27/08/2017 at 17:03:15
No problem selling him if we replace with better and to be fair there has to be better.

But loaning him? Nah.

James Stewart
16 Posted 27/08/2017 at 17:09:10
Prat. Good riddance.
Peter Gorman
17 Posted 27/08/2017 at 17:36:00
Apparently Mirallas is not happy with the fast, dynamic and adventurous style Koeman insists we set up our attack.
John Audsley
18 Posted 27/08/2017 at 17:49:51
Whatever happens with KM we still need 2 or 3 more players before the deadline. The fact that Koeman keeps saying "I need a striker" tells me he is really concerned it's not gonna happen.

I think he is saying it to the board rather than the press.

A top class striker should have been the first player we bought in. To be in this position near deadline day is pathetic.

Tim Griffiths
19 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:05:31
We do not have any wide players. We should not sell Mirallas. I would go in for Mahrez and spend the money. We are desperately short of firepower. Defensively we look strong but need a scoring target man and wide players. Until we have those we should not sell Super Kev.
Anthony Hughes
20 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:15:37
Mirallas is an attacking footballer, totally diametrically opposed to his manager....
Denis Richardson
21 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:28:55
I hope this isn't true and if it is we have a replacement lined up!

As already mentioned above, the squad is so thin when it comes to attacking players with pace, it's really worrying. Other than Lookman and Mirallas, we have no attacking players with any pace. Sandro isn't slow but isn't really pacey either and Lennon is just not good enough. We desperately need some pace in the side.

All the sides above us in the league are packed with attacking players with pace – that is no coincidence.

What about a double swoop for Mahrez and Vardy – £60m?

Mike Allison
22 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:31:05
Mirallas just isn't good enough. I have no problem with selling him. He looked decent playing wide right about 4/5 years ago but has done very little for a long time now.
Mark Riding
23 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:48:45
Do one, you bad Fanny.
David Pearl
24 Posted 27/08/2017 at 18:50:49
This team seems to be crying out for Mirallas. But Koeman overlooks him... perhaps because if his lack of productivity. Referring to Clive (#8), he is more Essex. The only way is Koeman. Surely he and Walsh should of sorted out our weak areas first. If he isn't playing Mirallas then sell him.
Jack Convery
25 Posted 27/08/2017 at 19:05:14
His problem is he thinks hes as good as Hazard, which he ain't. The Belgium players don't like it up 'em as a certain Corporal used to say. He's had his chance bigstyle at Goodison and has blown it. Time to say tara.
Charles Barrow
26 Posted 27/08/2017 at 19:44:28
Not sure we can afford to lose any strikers, wingers. Another player Koeman has pissed off.
Patrick Eimsman
27 Posted 27/08/2017 at 19:54:39
Agreed. Ron seems to have a knack of pissing off our valuable players.
Christine Foster
28 Posted 27/08/2017 at 20:13:45
I just don't get (or buy into) Koeman, sorry. First Barkley and now Mirallas, if it's true, of course, but then Koeman has already had his dig in the press, his attitude..

Could it be because he wasn't used last week and the ineffective Lennon was? You know, the guy who is supposed to be going out on loan to Watford this week? When he has been used so far Mirallas has been a breath of fresh air... so why was he dropped? From even the bench?

I see the also we have the "get rid" in abundance once more... just how many players can our chosen one piss off before it dawns on us that he doesn't give a monkey's about the club, it's players or fans, he has embarked on an exercise in stepping stones on his way to god knows where.

Really... come on... Lennon before Mirallas? Can anyone of you justify that on playing ability, on goalscoring?

No wonder the guy has allegedly chucked his toys out the pram...

Charlie Lloyd
29 Posted 27/08/2017 at 20:22:42
Pre-season, Mirallas scored that beauty against Twente. Since then... practically nothing. He's had a few chances but not grasped them.

In fact, in the last 5 years, he's had many false dawns. That's not to say I agree with him going, if he does. He can add something we haven't really got if you get him firing. A loan would be pointless and out the question.

Also, I hope a replacement is lined up. As for his possible attitude issue. That wouldn't really surprise either. Interesting few days ahead till the deadline.

Bill Gienapp
30 Posted 27/08/2017 at 20:56:28
I've just about had my fill of Mirallas. His attitude's always been suspect and while he's capable of looking world class on any given day, his contributions are too few and far between.

Much like Deulofeu, the theoretical qualities you bring to the pitch don't count for much if you aren't actually producing anything.

Mike Kehoe
31 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:09:37
We were shite today and you always think we could do with a Deulofeu or a Barkley or Mirallas but this is a big project and these are 'phenomenal' remnants of Martinez's sporadically effective but mostly shreikingly awful and horribly frustrating team with identical qualities.

As we have seen, there is little substance to these inconsistent flair players and they all seem to think they are much better than they are. I made my mind up long ago when I found he drives a gold Bentley; absolute bellend.

Ashley Roberts
32 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:12:56
It appears to me Koeman has a problem with players that have pace and skill. The problem for him is he just does not know how to utilize them. He likes to field a team with 8 players behind the ball and hope the opposition does not score and we can somehow get a breakaway goal or a goal from a dead ball situation.

The team is bereft of both of these types of player at the moment and the ones we do have want out!! It says it all really.

The next two league games are going to be really telling from the point of view of how the team is going to be set up for the season. Yes, we all know we need a striker and a left-sided defensive player. We also need some pace from the middle of the park. Mid-table at best without Lukaku's goals.

Dave Abrahams
33 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:23:37
Christine (#28) '

When he has been used so far, Mirallas has been a breath of fresh air.". .. Really, Christine?

Christine Foster
34 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:32:43
Dave... Yes. Simply put... he attacks, he has a go... he wants to score, he is not afraid of going forward at a defence.. he rarely place sideways or backwards, like the rest of our midfield... Skill and pace, like the rest of our midfield? Penetrating not procrastinating.

He isn't the bee's knees he isn't a brilliant player but he offers something we don't have...

So Deulofeu gone, Lukaku gone, Barkley all but gone, Mirallas on his way... all attractive attacking players on their day, but hey, Barry went and... er... hang on.. .Williams, Jagileka, McCarthy... it's getting easier to spot a trend here.

It's the way I see it. That's all...

David Barks
35 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:36:04
I fully agree with Christine. Mirallas actually attacks, he will try to go by his man and he takes shots from outside the box.
Paul Tran
36 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:36:47
He's inconsistent, ill-disciplined, petulant and nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.

Happy to criticise Koeman, but I'm not prepared to man the barricades for Mirallas.

David Currie
37 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:37:00
Not good enough and should never had got a 3-year contract. He has had enough chances and seasons at the club, will end up playing in a weaker team and league.
Colin Gee
38 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:37:09
We could have done with Kev today, the first half could have been Martinez still in charge Pass, sideways pass, pass, backwards, pass, sideways pass, backwards, lose the ball...

At least Kev for all his faults will have a go at going forward.

Dave Abrahams
39 Posted 27/08/2017 at 21:47:05
Christine (#34), you see him differently to me. he plays on the wing, seldom goes outside the man, cuts inside and mainly goes across the field, not forward. Yes he wants to score and when he does he can score brilliant goals, not very often though, check his record.

Christine, he has been here five seasons, more than enough to have become a regular player. He is very, very inconsistent, you like him fair enough, I hope he is sold or used as a swap for another player, not on loan, looked good when he first came but hasn't done it for me.

Anthony Dwyer
40 Posted 27/08/2017 at 22:48:32
Fuck me this is getting stupid!

Mirallas signs a new deal and is then pretty much completely fucked off.

He needs to be moved on along with McCarthy, Barkley and Niasse as it seems once your in Koeman's bad books your pretty much fucked.

We need a striker and we need a quality wide man with pace and the ability to score goals.

Lennon is being spoken about now but fact is he's not good enough. He wasn't good enough to play for Spurs as they felt Townsend was better. Townsend is now a squad player for Palace so that points to the level Lennon is at.

Mahrez and a top quality striker would improve us drastically, anything less and we're 7th at best.

Colin Glassar
41 Posted 27/08/2017 at 22:53:46
Anthony, I think Mirallas was offered a new contract so he wouldn't leave for free. I'm not surprised if he leaves this week as I don't think Koeman has ever rated him.
Steve Mink
42 Posted 27/08/2017 at 23:05:06
You might not agree with every decision, but I like the way Koeman cuts players out. Shows decisiveness and standards.

I still have the naive view that there is a great player in Barkley waiting to get out.

Andy Crooks
43 Posted 27/08/2017 at 23:07:44
There was not one player in our team today that Chelsea had any reason to fear. Not a player who could hurt them. Not a player with pace, not a player with the ability to beat a man.

We set out to stop them and when we went behind are plan was to stop them scoring more. It was fucking wretched.

James Watts
45 Posted 28/08/2017 at 00:58:18
Offers very little in 99% of the time he's on the pitch. Fine as a sub but that'll be his lot and should be his lot.

The people praising him? Strange. Have you not seen him play in the last 3 years for us? A case of "not in the side making him a better player" I think.

Don Alexander
46 Posted 28/08/2017 at 01:07:00
If "Kevin Mirallas" is the answer, the question definitely isn't "What's it gonna take to get us into the top four?" Just sayin'!

We've just got rid of Lukaku for north of £75 mill (allegedly) but last season he was patently unable to deliver the holding/scoring role we still currently need as a centre-forward (and for the avoidance of doubt, Lukaku is shit at "holding/challenging for" the ball in my opinion). To me that means we need either to find way more than £75 mill for a replacement or we need to have huge faith in the abilities of Koeman, Walsh and whoever to identify and attract some relative unknown of that ilk.

I include the "whoever" in the above just in case Koeman and Walsh actually had no input at all in signing the likes of Vardy, Mahrez. Pelle, Sane and the like – all of whom transformed their clubs.

As if! Surely?

Anto Byrne
47 Posted 28/08/2017 at 01:24:49
Bye bye, Kevin Mirallas... so frustrating.
John Pierce
48 Posted 28/08/2017 at 05:04:49
The new contract was Everton protecting their asset. We will get a fee for him. Always on the outside looking in.

Suffered from being neither one thing or t'ther. Forward or winger? Never a team player, always for himself, no problems there Kev, just deliver.

A player who created memorable moments, but rarely could string more than 60 minutes together let alone 2 games.

If anything sums Kev up, it's the WBA penalty debacle. Put himself first, and failed to deliver.

Neil Cremin
49 Posted 28/08/2017 at 07:02:46
Mirallas joins Niasse, McCarthy and Barkley as players with no future at Everton.

Considering our performance at Chelsea and a couple of earlier games, there will be more to add to the list and it may not all be on he playing staff.

Nobody to bring the ball forward and distribute, All passes were across the field and regularly back to Pickford. No attacking threat. At least Mirallas tries to run with the ball at the defence. As for the comments that he is frustrating, he has good company in both players and management.

Denver Daniels
50 Posted 28/08/2017 at 08:30:18
Typical Everton player. Good in patches but generally not good enough. I don't have a problem with him going as long as we sign a like-for-like replacement.
Paul Kelly
51 Posted 28/08/2017 at 08:34:08
Always liked the fella.

The problem I see with wingers is this; if they do their defensive duties, positional play, marking etc as may be instructed by management they largely go unnoticed unless you remember them tearing a full back a new arsehole all game, or beating a few players on a dazzling run on occasion they don't get noticed or appreciated, I do it myself, admittedly.

Maybe Gold-Plated Penis-Sheath Mirallas is going down the same route as Gibbo (not trying to kill a cyclist while pissed out of his nut); give him a new deal to take his resale value up. [Pure speculation on my part.]

Alan J Thompson
52 Posted 28/08/2017 at 08:39:09
Well said, Christine #34.

Dave #39, I think you are confusing what the player can do with what the manager asks him to do.

Dave Abrahams
53 Posted 28/08/2017 at 09:02:10
Alan (#52) – you could be right but I very much doubt it. He hasn't done it for me as a footballer and I have watched him for the last five years. Too much of an individual, he is in love with himself and plays for himself, very rarely, if ever, plays for the team.

Think back to when he came on as a sub, versus Swansea, and immediately got sent off for a ridiculous tackle, had a cob on with himself and the manager. It is all about opinions and we all are entitled to them.

Raymond Fox
54 Posted 28/08/2017 at 09:20:37
Christine (#34), says almost word for word what I was going to post!

Koeman apparently wants players that give 100%, nothing wrong with that, but we are becoming a squad with little creative flair.

I don't like the guy, and the way he's going on, how long before he loses the dressing room?

On top of that, the players are not good enough to be a top 6 side yet.

Paul Smith
55 Posted 28/08/2017 at 09:45:49
I can't say I'm surprised at this. I have had issues with Mirallas's attitude for a while now. He is the type of player who flatters to deceive on most days. Kevin cannot say that he hasn't had enough opportunities under 3 different managers and always left you expecting more.

For me, I would cut my losses and make 3 signings before deadline day. These would be Ben Gibson, Demarai Gray and Costa or Vardy – then I would be reasonably happy.

Victor Yu
56 Posted 28/08/2017 at 10:04:02
To me, he has always been a 'me first' player.

He rarely passes the ball (remember Lukaku was so frustrated with him a few years ago?). He took the ball from Baines to try to score on a penalty (and missed!).

If he wants to be an automatic starter then he should find a lesser team.

Michael Penley
58 Posted 28/08/2017 at 10:18:54
I find it difficult to fall into either side of the Mirallas debate. Christine has a point that he is one of our very few attacking, pacy players. But he also rarely gives us any end product.

His best days by far were under Moyes. I wonder why? Something to do with the way we played or the players around him?

Adam Scott
59 Posted 28/08/2017 at 11:23:55
I agree with Denver (#50)

A good player, with a high level of footballing skill. Inconsistent though, goes missing regularly. questionable attitude at times. All-in-all, unreliable.

I watched United v Leicester on Sat. If we could sell him on and somehow replace him with Gray – young, pacey, hungry etc. I would be delighted.

With Mirallas you keep thinking that 'it is there, somewhere' on the basis of his reputation or occasional glimpse of what could be. Five years down the line and he still isn't delivering. He should have been a key part of this team for the last 5 years. He hasn't been. It speaks volumes. A nearly man, just like all of our team really in recent times, bar Rom.

Andrew James
60 Posted 28/08/2017 at 12:32:22
I think people are forgetting that he was a very useful player in his first season under Moyes. Injury probably stifled him in that campaign. Then under Martinez he featured less due to Lukaku and Barkley but had a good season although I seem to recall he was on the bench more.

He comes across as sulky and the Baines penalty incident was stupid but I think he's been unfortunate sometimes because when he gets brought on from the bench, the pressure is often on him to save a game. Both Martinez and Koeman have persisted with other players like Bolasie, Lukaku, McGeady, Kone, Lennon et al at his expense when they themselves have not covered themselves in glory.

With so many midfielders and forwards being bedded in and not experienced in this league, I question the wisdom of allowing him to leave – especially if Barkley is also going.

Paul Goodchild
61 Posted 28/08/2017 at 17:23:47
Mirallas gets an unfair press and I don't quite understand why. Yes he can be frustrating at times but he score goals and has genuine pace, which we are sadly lacking at the moment throughout the team.

Martinez's first season aside in which Mirallas was excellent the last 2 managers do not seem to have picked him on a regular basis and I think because of this he has not reached that high standard of which we all know he is capable of. I also think he could play the number 9 role which I believe is his best position but I fear he will now be off, which is a shame but I think I am in a small minority on this one.

Eddie Dunn
62 Posted 28/08/2017 at 17:37:40
Koeman has his faults but I won't use Mirallas to beat him with.
This lad has failed to nail down a regular place in the side under 3 managers and has failed to get regular starts for Belgium.
Granted, he has scored some crackers and his direct running can be superb but he (like Paul Tran said) is petulant and inconsistent. He is always looking to come inside off his wing and thus is predictable and fails to provide crosses for the centre forward.
He is a poor man's Arnautovic- and that's saying something!
This season he would surely get plenty of gametime if he was patient. With Del leaving and Bolasie out for ages he and Lennon are the nearest things we have to wingers.
I was surprise he got a new contract- but perhaps that was to ensure a better transfer fee for him.
In his defence it can be argued that he could be played through the middle as an out-and -out striker. I think he may have done this once or twice for Martinez or Moyes. He certainly could have done no worse than Sandro on Sunday.
I don't think he would even hold his place at Stoke or Watford.
Andrew James
63 Posted 28/08/2017 at 21:17:49
Please can people stop saying Mirallas didn't secure his place under 3 managers? 2 maybe...but Moyes rated him. After all he bought him.

Moyes had him in the first 11 when fit. RM did in his first season and then the madness set in. RK's selections have been questionable. So I'm not sure that he's been often benched by RK and RM proves all that much. It might say more about those managers.

Denis Richardson
64 Posted 28/08/2017 at 21:30:34
A lot of (imo) harsh posts directed at KM. Think many people forget the guys actually a striker and not a winger. He was top scorer in the Greek league the season before we signed. (I know the Greek league isn't the prem, just highlighting he was playing as a striker).

He's one of the few players in the side who naturally thinks of attacking when he gets the ball, rather than pass sideways or slow things down.

Is he frustrating and inconsistent? Yes. But at least he has a go. We need more players who are prepared to go forward and go for goal with pace.

If he leaves and we have a decent replacement, I won't be down. But we can't just get rid with no replacement. Lennon is no where near the answer.

Roman Sidey
65 Posted 29/08/2017 at 00:08:05
Reading some of the comments that mention style of play and whatnot, you'd think Moyes was still our manager.

In defense of KM, whom I know can be frustrating, I'd suggest people think back to (or reflect on the now) when they played football, or any other team sport where selection was an issue.

I'm no sports psychologist, but being selected one week, scoring/performing adequately and then being benched for three matches messes with your head. I've been on the bench for a season and watched players I thought (I fucking knew) weren't as good as me run around losing games. Trust me, it makes you do things you might not normally do - i.e. come on late and make rash tackles.

The other thing that sticks out to me, and not just on this site, is the crap that attacking players cop in comparison to defensive players. Last season we had a fairly solid defense, but whenever things have gone badly it's usually the forwards (Lukaku, Mirallas, Barkley etc) who copped the brunt of it whilst the likes of Jagielka, Baines, Coleman are untouchable. Quite frankly, if I were a forward I wouldn't even consider playing in front of a crowd like that.

Eddie Dunn
66 Posted 29/08/2017 at 07:58:50
Roman- that is simply untrue. Coleman has been given stick on here for positional errors and Baines is under the microscope for his lack of attacking threat these days. Jags has copped it big time for a myriad of mistakes. However one reason why those three have not been criticised as much as some of the attackers is simply that the three of them have generally been very good players for us and our most consistent performers over the recent years.
Also I would suggest that one reason why "Superkev" has been in and out of the side could be down to what the coaches see in training.
John Smith
67 Posted 29/08/2017 at 08:37:12
No, it is simply not true. Everyone was on Lukaku's back last season, as too Deulofeu, Mirallas, Barkley etc etc. It's very rare our defenders got pasted last season.
Denis Richardson
68 Posted 29/08/2017 at 11:33:10
Not sure why people think RK may not fancy Mirallas and doesnt pick him often. Looking at the stats for last season, Mirallas made 35 league appearances out of 38 games (I was surprised as well).

Admittedly a few would have been off the bench but the guy was definitely a 1st team regular last season so not sure what's gone on behind the scenes. Imo he should be starting games regularly. Especially as Sandro and Lookman need time to fully adjust.

I'd prefer if he stays but we can't get rid with no replacement.

Tony Abrahams
69 Posted 29/08/2017 at 12:03:44
Kevin Mirallas, has the ability to be a top player, but he's just too much of a contradiction, to ever become one.

On his day, I'd say he's as good as we have got, but when he speaks about his own family telling him he has to do more, then need we say anymore?

Steavey Buckley
70 Posted 29/08/2017 at 12:26:27
Mirallas has failed to live up to expectations, and he would do himself and the club favour by moving on, to pastures new. There is no doubt there is a striker in him, but usually fails to hit the target when he plays, with his shots zooming high over the cross bar or the wrong side of the posts. More than not, goes missing in matches.
Tony Rio
71 Posted 29/08/2017 at 18:12:13
Personally I'd be glad to see the back of him. He flatters to deceive and only puts a shift in 10% of the time.

Maybe I'm biased after I read about the Belgian authorities chasing him for alleged tax evasion. . nothing worse if true in my opinion and would hate to have anything like this associated with us after all the work we do with Everton in the Community etc

Christine Foster
72 Posted 29/08/2017 at 20:03:00
Before you all jump on the bandwagon of what a waste of space Mirallas is.. some stats for you.. since joining Everton 5 seasons ago he has scored 38 goals in all competitions, by comparison Barkley has scored 27, Kone scored 10, Louis Saha bagged 35, Lukaku scored 71, apart from Louis Saha, no one else has come close to Mirallas and Lukaku, certainly not in the past 5 years.

He isn't a winger, he is being played as one. He is a striker and when played as one does deliver. At least better than anyone else at the club in recent times other than Lukaku.

John Daley
73 Posted 29/08/2017 at 21:19:04
In matters of lethality, a mean 7 goals a season makes Mirallas look rather more Murtaugh than Riggs.

Over the course of the last four seasons he has scored 29 compared to Barkley's 27, so he's hardly been ripping Ross a new one in recent years. The Belgians first season, in which Barkley only started 2 games, is all that puts clear distance between the pair.

Both could and should have been delivering more consistently in front of goal, when taking into consideration the natural talent they've been blessed with.

That the rest of the squad, bar Lukaku, has generally been bereft of attacking threat for far too long doesn't really constitute a reason to flatter the goal scoring contribution of either.

"He is a striker and when played as one does deliver"

Has he ever actually started as a striker for us? I honestly can't recall him doing so.

Christine Foster
74 Posted 29/08/2017 at 22:04:42
John,
Mirallas has scored 38 goals not 29, his ratio of goals per game ratio pans out at 0.23 Lukaku at 0.49 and Barkley at 0.14.
He comes in second in the rankings against Lukaku. And better than anyone else you care to pick over the last 5 years,.
my point, as you clearly got, is that in comparison to what we have currently and what he is playing alongside ( check Lennon stats) he is by far the only striker who has delivered. He is not in the class of Lukaku but he is worth keeping when we have nothing better by a long way.
David Barks
75 Posted 29/08/2017 at 22:14:18
Christine,

Again, I think you are talking a whole lot of sense.

Jay Harris
76 Posted 29/08/2017 at 22:15:17
I am totally with Christine on this.

Mirallas is our biggest goal threat right now and he must have looked at the shite being played and thought what am I doing here not even getting a game.

I know a lot of fans don't like him but I think given a run in the team he would provide significant goals from the flank.

Kevin Tully
77 Posted 29/08/2017 at 22:27:17
If he's a good as some above think he is, then all these Premier League clubs, with money falling out of briefcases in boardrooms everywhere, will be queuing up to sign him. In fact, you could probably get him for around half the price of any decent defender (10-15m?)

Any of his fans think a PL club will be rushing to sign him?

Rick Pattinson
78 Posted 29/08/2017 at 22:50:49
So what price we gonna get for him .10 mil tops?. . Id rather keep the inconsistent swine and play him as a striker. He does have talent and occasional glimpses of magic. To be fair to him he's been in and out of the team for years think he needs a cuddle
John Daley
79 Posted 29/08/2017 at 23:43:46
Christine @74,

I did indeed 'get' your point. I just thought you were overstating it.

True, Mirallas has scored 39 goals in his entire Everton career. As stated, I was comparing his total over the last four seasons with that of Barkley over the same period. Why? The simple claim that Mirallas has scored significantly more over the last five years fails to take into account that Ross barely featured at all during Kev's first season at the club (two starts).

Discount that extra season to make it more of a 'fair fight' and there's a mere two goals between them. The suggestion that "no-one else has come close" to keeping pace with Kev on the goal scoring front was stretching things a little too far.

Jay @76,

What (even fairly) recent evidence is there to suggest Mirallas can provide a "significant" number of goals if given more of "a run"? It's not like he can point to being frozen out over the last couple of years to explain away his middling contribution.

Mirallas featured in 66 games over the last two seasons and managed a grand total of 10 goals. In that same period even the much maligned Kone managed 9 in 40 with his Bad Grandpa body.


Christine Foster
80 Posted 30/08/2017 at 05:21:54
John, that's why I included the stats for goals-per-game average for all concerned so that selective slicing of seasons would be irrelevant as a comparison. That shows Mirallas was nearly twice as productive as Barkley over all games played.

Kone in total had 62 appearances scoring 10 goals, giving a goals per game average of a goal every six games or 0.16 – as an out and out striker he didn't cut it when played.

I would not consider Barkley as anything other than an attacking midfielder so I believe the comparison to be fair on goals contribution to the team overall.

Graham Hammond
81 Posted 30/08/2017 at 16:10:56
Quality player. Best player on the park at Old Trafford last season when in true night follows day fashion he was hooked (Yes, I know he was on a yellow). Consistently an attacking threat, always tries to make things happen, doesn't go missing in the big games like some.
Koeman is building a deeply unbalanced squad, weaknesses have yet to be addressed, pushing KM out the door is a massive backward step given the players we currently have on the books.
Kim Vivian
82 Posted 30/08/2017 at 20:27:24
Is he going to go this window? Nothing being talked about anymore. We probably need him to stay if the truth be only known.

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