ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Caring about Spain...or not...

Just read more DM quotes there imploring Aragones to check out Arteta. I know managers like to show loyalty to their players by touting them for a national side but really, with the squad the size that it is and with Arteta being such an integral part of our plans, shouldn't Moyes be doing his best to ensure that Arteta never ever plays for Spain!

I mean I don't give a toss about whether he ever gets capped. And if he does, it just means that Barcelona will eventually come sniffing around with a £12M bid and before you know it he'll be an expensive bit part substitute for Frank Rijkaard. That, or he ends up getting a good kicking playing in some nothing ?must win? qualifier out in Azerbaijan (or whoever the hell are in Spain?s group) in the middle of November and he?s out for 6 months.

So Dave, keep quiet about Arteta. It?ll be our little secret?
Jeremy Sweetnam, Cork Posted 13/08/2007 at 14:16:36

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Paulo
1 Posted 13/08/2007 at 16:09:16

But you are overlooking the fact that Moyes is obviously trying to allay Mikel’s fears that he may never achieve his goal of playing on the international stage at Everton.

Its shrewd by Moyes and also a great honour for our club if Mikel gets the recognition he deserves.

Dan Mckie
2 Posted 13/08/2007 at 16:11:58

I wouldnt worry too much about it because Spain are even worse than England for picking players on reputation rather than form,and they dont like players that do ugly things like tackle!

Jeremy
3 Posted 13/08/2007 at 16:15:31

Paulo, fair point. Never thought of it that way I guess. Though I disagree on the "honour for the club" thing - I couldn’t care less how many internationals play for Everton...

Dan Parker
4 Posted 13/08/2007 at 16:22:32

If Arteta isn’t picked for Spain, he’s going to start thinking he needs to player for a larger club that regularly plays in the Champions League and will start looking to leave. Moyes is doing the right thing, he’s helping Michel achieve his ambitions.

It’s no different to us leaving companies if we feel that they cannot deliver our career aspirations.

Mike Allison
5 Posted 13/08/2007 at 17:17:48

He’ll want to leave if he can’t get picked for Spain no matter what he does for us.

Keith Glazzard
6 Posted 13/08/2007 at 17:59:21

San Mikel wants to play for Spain and DM has to support him in his ambition. But if it was me, I’d have my fingers crossed behind my back while making the same comments.

Andy Johnson will soon be put at the same risk as other players who have gone to play for England in the past - coming back injured, tapped-up, or both.

John Charles
7 Posted 13/08/2007 at 19:56:43

I think it helps us too though - players can come to Everton knowing if they do well they make the national team. Instead of thinking "if i go there i wont go the euro’s/wc"

its a way for us to bring in a better quality of player, raises our profile.. losing him is just part of the risk, but 5 year contract says we have some protection fee wise in that too.

Peter Fearon
8 Posted 13/08/2007 at 21:18:49

The problem with players like Arteta getting capped is they get nobbled by their national colleagues. Barmby was persuaded to leave Everton for Liverpool partially by England players who convinced him he would have been capped sooner if he played elsewhere. Gerard and Carragher helped nobble Rooney on England duty. It?s a real problem. You want players to ahieve their personal goals but the end result can be disastrous.

Dutch Schaffaer
9 Posted 13/08/2007 at 22:06:10

Problem is Arteta is desperate to play for his country (who can blame him for that) and Moyes has to support his player.

The fear is that Arteta is continually ignored forcing the player to consider his options. Playing for a bigger club would no doubt improve his International chances.

Understandibly Moyes doesn’t want Arteta to feel his International career is suffering because he’s playing for Everton.

Moyes has clearly told Arteta that an International call-up is possible at Everton and thats why he’s pushing the Spanish manager.

The minute Arteta feels its impossible to get a Spanish call-up at Everton or that his manager isn’t helping, thats when Arteta may consider seeking a higher profile club.

Moyes is doing the right thing appearing to help Arteta’s quest for International football. The player needs to feel his manager is behind him.

Having International players is a good thing anyway. Sure there’s the chance of injury but Arteta would improve with International football under his belt.