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Stephane M'Bia The New Cars?

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Setanta Sports are currently reporting that sources in France say that Rennes midfield enforcer Stephane M'Bia has agreed to Join Everton. This story may well have some truth as we were linked the the Cameroon man last summer as well.

Although I can't claim to have seen him play myself, Arsene Wenger is also a fan and he seems to fit the bill as the type of midfield enforcer we tried so desperately to attract last summer.

A series of competent displays in midfield from Phil Neville have disguised the fact that we still haven't sufficiently replaced Carsley. If M'Bia does sign, he should nicely complement a fit-again Arteta in centre-midfield with Pienaar out wide and either Cahill or Fellaini operating behind Saha or the Yak. Phil Neville can return to right back to complete a back four of England internationals.

If we can just sign a top-class wide midfielder to play on the opposite side to Pienaar, our side could have a lovely balance to it next season.
David Nicholls, Lancaster     Posted 05/06/2009 at 11:34:40

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Anthony Millington
1   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:08:38

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I agree we would have a really good starting line up with everybody fit. I also think we need a good energetic right back though to compliment Baines on the left and take over from Phil Neville. Then hopefully Moyes can get in a few bargain buys to add some quality of depth to the squad.
Alex Kociuba
2   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:09:26

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"Reports in Le Parisien claim the 23-year-old Cameroon international has now sealed a move to Everton. Reports believe M?Bia has already agreed personal terms and that the clubs just need to agree a fee before the transfer goes through."

http://tinyurl.com/qwyf3f

If this is true and the fee is £4m then that is another excellent piece of business by Moyes.
Ian McDowell
3   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:09:10

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Never seen him play myself but we could certainly do with a strong powerful defensive midfielder (if thats what he is). I am still keeping my fingers crossed that we could come up with the cash for Moutinho.

Also got this feeling Lescott will end up at City on a double your money contract, no one can turn that down, anyone else got the same worry.
Mark Hill
4   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:26:57

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M?Bia.... I am genuinly excited by, I think he will be a great signing for us, hopefully better than Alex Nyarko....!

Lescott, I would most surprised if he left us to go to Citeh, I just can?t see it, unless it's stupid money, and whilst Citeh have much to spend, I don?t think they will spend shed loads on Lescott, and besides he might not actually want to go, despite the money!

What worries me a little more are rumours (I know I shouldn?t read anything into them, but can?t help it) about Arteta.... Citeh, and The Spuds are more than a little interested in our Spanish genius....
Simon Dunne
5   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:37:08

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I get more worried about our players not being linked with clubs. I mean look how quick City got Barry. Maybe they are doing things "The Everton Way" and don?t go public and actually have deals for Arteta, Cahill, the Yak, and Jags in the bag.

It worries me!
Fran Mitchell
6   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:33:18

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Ian McDowell: "Also got this feeling Lescott will end up at City on a double your money contract, no one can turn that down, anyone else got the same worry."

We've already discussed that item of specculation to high heaven in a thread yesterday. The general conclusion: half say if the offer is right sell him; half say keep him no matter what City offer.

On M?Bia, I have never ever seen him play. But his stats are 23 years old, 6?-1?? and apparently a defensive midfielder who Moyes has watched for 2+ seasons, so will know plenty more than any of us will.

£4mil sounds a bit low, considering its was touted at £12mil (with a stronger £-Euro 1 year ago too), but if so then good news, hopefully he will sign and it won't be another wild goose chase.
Ciaran MacGiollaEoin
7   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:42:36

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Is this the same M?bia who was derisory about us last year after an Arsenal link appeared?

I watched him several times... and he?s not even that good. Would be lost in the Premier League.

And he?s a bloody African.... we pay his wages for 2 months while he fecks off to the AFCoN.

No thanks.
Tony Marsh
8   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:38:31

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Yep, IF we sign M'Bia, we will break in to the top 4 and win a trophy (again)...
When will you lot ever learn FFS? It's the same BS every close season and nothing ever comes from it.

Kenwright is skint, even though we earned £50M from telly rights last season (where's that going)??? DK??

So until you see the scarf held aloft on the back of the Echo, don't waste your breath. We won't sign anyone of note and a last-minute rush on the last day of the window is inevitable.

PLEASE learn form what's gone before and stop the Bullshit FM game. It is starting to annoy me.

Jay Campbell
9   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:49:42

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'Til the have their picture in a blue shirt, everything else is total shite!!!
Anthony Fitzpatrick
10   Posted 05/06/2009 at 15:52:40

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Do you really think Everton are going to pay his wages for a couple of months before the season starts? Come on, guys, get real.

I am like you as well, thinking "this pre-season will be different", but it won?t. If we can?t push on from CL qualification in 2005 then what makes you think it will be any different now?

I really don?t like to be as negative as T Marsh but I am realistic, there will be late signings to save face and wages but we are not ambitious or professional enough to get people onboard now and do a FULL pre-season together so we hit the ground running in August.

Ben Jones
11   Posted 05/06/2009 at 16:18:48

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I think if we sign this guy, it?s the first step to improving our team sheet. It does seem more promising that it is stated he has agreed a move, but I can just see him or Rennes saying tomorrow that this isn?t true... so I?m not keeping my hopes up. Fran Mitchell, with regards to the valuation figure, I think it is only £4 million, because he has only one year on his contract left, but then again, it does sound a bit low, maybe about £6 - £7 million sounds right.

But I gotta admit, I hope he?s with us next season, as David Nichols says, get a quality winger then that?s our first team improved anyway. Just the matter of improving the squad now.
Jay Woods
12   Posted 05/06/2009 at 16:33:59

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Yet another defensive player. What, are we going to nil-nil bore draw our way into the top 4? When oh when are we going to get some pacey, attacking players?
Keith Glazzard
13   Posted 05/06/2009 at 16:52:16

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Andy Hunter in today’s Guardian has Moyes interested in Darron Gibson from MU. A fairly reliable source, he adds that SAF has still to decide to sell.
Jay Harris
14   Posted 05/06/2009 at 16:57:29

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As others have said, don't get your hopes up too much.

Here?s a link to last years media speculation: http://www.caughtoffside.com/2008/08/11/everton-boss-ready-to-spend-spend-spend-in-40-million-frenzy/

Same names... different date.

Just believe Bullshit Billy when he says "Watch this space" ... because that is what you?ll be watching!!
James Stewart
15   Posted 05/06/2009 at 18:00:40

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Unless it's a wide player we are after, I am simply not interested!!!!!

And will people please shut up about Moutinho!!! Have you actually seen him play!???? He is not that good and very small, identical to Pienaar, so what is the point!!!
Tom Campbell
16   Posted 05/06/2009 at 18:14:36

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If all of these rumours wrer true can you imagine the size of our sqaud?
Giles Larkman
17   Posted 05/06/2009 at 19:31:19

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Ok, if this is all true, then fine. I think we?ve just seen Pip perform better than well in that role this season, but...

I?ll cut to the chase, I want to see Moutinho join the club. I want to see that dynamo in the middle of the field that drives us forward. Ok M?bia is good, but just not the position we need. We can?t just rely on one creative central midfield player (Arteta). I am positive that, with a player like Moutinho, we could realistically challenge for the top 4.

You know you agree.
John Dawson
18   Posted 05/06/2009 at 23:20:24

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If anyone watches French footy (I wouldn't blame you if you dont), then Lorick Cana is the man for Everton. "Le Destreucter" (apologies for the spelling but you get the idea). Forget M?bia, Cana is the man. He is the enforcer we need.
Derek Thomas
19   Posted 05/06/2009 at 23:36:12

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1) SAF makes mistakes and nobody jumps all over him (or words to that effect)... The things he does right, winning stuff, more than makes up for the stuff he gets wrong. The odd poor transfer, dopey team selection, semi any one?

2) If the RS and I hope the do, just for the shame and the wake up call for the others go into administration and get fined 10pts, that would, on last seasons results, STILL leave them in 3rd 13 pts ahead of us, but who?s counting.

3) Each pre-season seemst to be a triumph of hope over experience.

4) Is M?bia good enough to win the ball and technically good enough to hold it and actually do something constuctive with it...??? That is the question; if not, then why bother?
Jason Broome
20   Posted 06/06/2009 at 00:17:00

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This can’t be true.

We were told that Everton spent 18 months scouting Fellaini as a Def. Midfielder and 1 year later we are back in the same boat?

M’Bia has a big mouth and doesn’t seem to have the right personality for our club. Moyes always keeps his cards close to his chest so expect a surprise.

I think Moyes is weighing up whether he should go all out for Moutinho or divide the money up between several possible targets.

Either way it’s going to be a long summer!
Peter Bradshaw
21   Posted 06/06/2009 at 01:54:12

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Well that was an interesting thread, I had to go back to the top to remember what it was about. Anyway M’Bia I have watched him play on numerous occasions and he is a strong defensive midfielder who can use the ball, not as good as Viera but in the same vein. Lorik Cana is awesome player and would be a general in the midfield, we where also linked with him last season too. With regard to Mo the Fro he was scouted as a box to box midfielder.

On a personal note I love the speculation whether it is true or false, in the off season what else is there, cricket, if you don’t like something don’t read or comment on it, the likes of Tony Marsh, James Bodin I don’t bother reading thats my choice, and finally calling names, dear me if anyone gets offended by name calling, you shouldn’t follow football
Oli Garcia
22   Posted 06/06/2009 at 02:44:02

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Hopefully we’ll forget M’Bia and go for his team mate Rod Fanni instead. Can’t have this M’Bia based on what I’ve read.
Denver Daniels
23   Posted 06/06/2009 at 05:12:30

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Ciaran,

"And he?s a bloody African" WTF?

So is Yobo, Pienaar, Anichebe and Yakubu.... maybe we should get rid of those "bloody Africans" while we are at it.
Paul Hennessey
24   Posted 06/06/2009 at 07:43:41

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Normally his place of birth wouldn't matter, but on this occasion I would agree. Next season, we will miss at least 3 of our regular starters for 6 weeks due to the African Cup of Nations - last time, this put a massive dent in our chances of making the Carling Cup Final. Missing Yobo, Pienaar and (if fit) Yakubu will be bad, another would be a nightmare.

Let's get a winger in first anyway, a pacy winger should be where the bulk of of money goes ? not on someone who only sees us as big enough when it suits him

Alex Storm
25   Posted 06/06/2009 at 08:42:59

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Stephane M?Bia from what I?ve read and from what little I?ve seen could be a good defensive midfielder(not a huge Neville fan although he has improved somewhat this season I think we?d be better off if he were a squad player rather than first team player)



I do agree with some who are saying that we could lose some of our best most influential players to the ACON e.g Yobo, M?bia (if signed) Pienaar and Yakubu. There has got to be other defensive midfield options out but his name does seem to be the one that keeps cropping up for this position.
Graham Eaves
26   Posted 06/06/2009 at 09:40:36

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Pienaar won?t be goin anywhere as South Africa never qualified.
Alasdair Mackay
27   Posted 06/06/2009 at 11:27:01

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I am unsure that M?Bia has the right personality for Moyes?s Everton based on comments about stepping stones made last summer by the same player. That said, it is not uncommon for French based players to be mis-quoted and I am sure Moyes has an educated opinion on the lad?s persona if he is in a position to submit an offer for the guy.

Personally I would prioritise a striker and a right winger. Yak goes to AFCON this season and we showed this season that we do not have cover. Also we never replaced AJ sufficiently with a pacy front man. Owen would score goals and cost nothing. He hasn?t always been injury prone ? only since he joined Newcastle ? maybe it is something to do with their physio team??
Warren Mitchell
28   Posted 06/06/2009 at 11:36:46

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All we need now is Wilfred Dalmat on the right of midfield and our team could have a top four balance about it. We will need another striker also when jo goes back to Oilly City, if we had the money Wagner Love. Not worried about Lescott, his career could not get any better at the moment with England call ups etc. Why risk all that when you could be sitting on the bench at city.

All Evertonians, DONT WORRY MAAAN, TAKE IT EAST AND HAVE A CAN OF LILT. The summer should be an exciting time for Evertonians ? not a time to worry our best players might leave. Keep the faith!

Seamus Murphy
29   Posted 06/06/2009 at 13:01:05

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That was a great thread to read by the way!!
Ron Leith
30   Posted 06/06/2009 at 16:28:30

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Don?t know much about this guy but I think we may also need Moutinho, Ledley, Tuncay, Huddleston, Jenas, O?Neil, Owen, Jo, Naughton, Smitthies and Delph etc etc. It all adds up to about £50million.

So if we don?t sign him there are plenty of other summer rumours to look forward to and loads of players not signing for us.
Bradley Nolan
31   Posted 06/06/2009 at 18:22:25

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I’ve seen M’bia a few times on Setanta in the French league. He’s very impressive, runs the game and is more of a complete midfield player than defensive. He takes the ball off the defenders, distribues it well, has strength to win it back. Very like Roy Keane I would say (great engine), seems to have the same attitude problems but crucially, seems to take losing very personally. I like him for that. Having a proper midfield player like this could even allow us to play 4 across the middle.
Harry Lamb
32   Posted 06/06/2009 at 18:16:40

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Agree with the OP, a wide player for me is the missing piece of the jigsaw ina fully fit squad - although Mbia would not be top of my list due to his ACON duties and previously mentioned bigmouth tendencies.
Ash Passmore
33   Posted 06/06/2009 at 19:39:10

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Not sure about M'bia but, with the way that certain clubs in the Prem are going to splash the cash, then we may have to look/relook at previous targets, especially during the credit crisis with money very tight in most countries.

Another point, we are a club progressing, consecutive 5th place, Europe and a good chance that we will break the big 4 next season... so it's in every agent's interest to link their player with the club ? I am sure that Lassie?s agent has approached BK to see if she could play on the wing - ah lovies.BK/DM would be foolish to state their targets as the price would rise straight away and we would risk being outbid as we have been in the past.

As for the BK debate, we finished 5th ? remember the days of 16th and 17th, he has produced the goods, maybe not as much as we would all hope for, but be thankful we are not playing Leeds.

Aide Dews
34   Posted 06/06/2009 at 21:07:04

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I agree with Bradley, M?Bia is quality; I've seen him play a few times on Setanta now and he?s impressed me every time in the holding midfield role, hassling players, breaking things up, covering for others when they break forward... He can play too and one of the games he covered in defence and looked right at home there, so he?s definitely a Moyes type of player, someone who can fill different roles.

Someone earlier said all our squad needed was Wilfred Dalmat for the right-hand side and when the squad's fully fit with him in the side, IF we signed him, we would be good enough for top four. I disagree slightly because we definitely need to replace Neville in midfield ? he isn't good enough and that's why Moyesy is looking to sign M?Bia.

We need to sort our whole right-hand side out, get a full back in and we need a pacey winger, maybe Dalmat or his team mate Axel Witsel but I think Moyesy wants Moutinho in for right hand side, the lad as played there most of the season and his career for Sporting Lisbon and Moyesy seems really keen on him. I hope we can get him in because he?s absolute quality too.

I wouldn't mind seeing Owen brought in for nothing, sell Anichebe on for a few million to Hull maybe, and also look to maybe get Jo in on loan for the season?! Hopefully the board will back Moyes this summer and let him bring in the quality we need to seriously challenge the top four!

Michael Kenrick
35   Posted 06/06/2009 at 21:48:35

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Oh deary me:

"The Toffees have rejected all speculation that they are set to enter negotiations for the 23-year-old [M’Bia]. "

And there he was all ready to sign. Bloody confusing, this silly season malarkey...
James Marshall
36   Posted 08/06/2009 at 15:01:09

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I hope and I very much doubt we’ll sign M’bia, for one reason and one reason only - he’s African and we have enough Africans.

Full stop.
James Marshall
37   Posted 08/06/2009 at 15:02:03

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I better qualify that - African players will leave for the Cup of Nations half way through the PL season which will leave us very short with Anichebe, Yak, Pienaar, Yobo and then M’Bia all leaving for 2 months or whatever it is - that would decimate us.

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