The Mail Bag
Tim's contract extension
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Great news.
I know he polarises opinion on this forum as to his abilities, but I am firmly of the belief that the extension is a great piece of business by EFC.
Tim in my opinion epitomises a lot of what EFC is about. One of his qualities is his loyalty — this guy went to hell and back to get the right to even turn out for Australia (yet still set the record for being their first goalscorer in the World Cup, ASEAN Cup and Confed Cup).
This new contract will take him up to age 34. After it expires he will go back to Australia, and focus on his academies, and enjoy his retirement. Whether he ends up as a squad player, or impact sub as some have suggested, remains to be seen... but I think his signing-on is good for us, given the limited budget we are under. Expect Mikel to also sign soon... (Fingers crossed!)
Matt Traynor, Posted 19/05/2010 at 05:45:13
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I've met Tim before when we did a fans' night here in Singapore. He is very resolute that when his time at Everton is up, he's back in Oz.
If you haven't seen it yet, I do recommend watching that documentary that was put out recently (there's a link somewhere on here). You'll learn a lot about him from that! I know a lot more about tattoo culture than I ever would care to know!
You're right in what you say - opposition players hate it when he's in the team. Everyone goes on about the fact the majority of his goals come from headers, the majority of them come from set pieces, but yet no-one still seems to work out how to defend against it.
I'll probably get flamed for this, but he is our version of Paul Scholes — by that I mean that he is very under-estimated by a lot of our supporters in terms of his value to the team. (And I do think, pound for pound Scholes is superior!)
As much as I like Pienaar, and he has said he wants to stay, the offer of a contract has been on the table for at least a year and he still hasn't signed it. If a player really wants to stay at a club, he would sign regardless.
Perhaps the difference is that Cahill doesn't appear to have a bunch of Champions League clubs sniffing after him. Hopefully he would stay even if he did. But I suspect Everton is about as good a club as Tim could expect to be a consistent starter for.
Pienaar on the other hand could well be playing Champions League next year if he wanted. Will football/money come before loyalty? Usually so. We will see by the end of the summer...
For the past 12 months, during an up-turn in his form, it appears he believes his own hype and is crying out to get to one of these clubs whilst kidding us he may well stay, just in case none of these clubs actually try to buy him.
And I would bet my life Cahill would do more at one of those clubs than Pienaar.
If we are rewarding him for loyalty, well, that could've been done by letting him leave on a free to negotiate his own deal in two years time. We're going to backwards this summer, I can just see it!
I think he has made it clear he wants to stay and so that would put other clubs off buying him. For example, so far only Chelsea have seriously bid for Gerrard in his career and this is likely due to his mis placed loyalties. If he came out and made noises to leave then clubs would come calling. Much the same for Timmy I reckon. He is a credit to all the qualities we admire, loyalty, never say die attitude, honesty (off the pitch anyway), class and respect for the club.
But he came good second half of the season. In fact he came very good. That, and just the inspirational impact & infectious enthusiasm that he has in the team and around the club, now makes me delighted that he's staying.
I do so hope Pienaar does the same. I noticed he appeared in a few pundits' team of the season. SP is one stonking player. I fear he's off, but fingers remain crossed.
Paul; Same aforementioned unreliable sources have linked Pienaar with Arsenal, Spurs, Bayern and a few Spanish clubs. Champions League clubs.
Not bashing Tim but would argue that Pienaar's game is more suited to top European clubs. Plus he's younger and has been our Player of the Season.
Interesting actually... if you had to lose one on a free right now: Who would you pick?
My heart says Stevie but my head would probably say Timmy.
I'm glad he has signed for another 4 years, more stability and other players will follow suit. I think he is highly respected in the dressing room and a credit to EFC.
Timmy's game is based on timing and attitude, and his amazing ability to get off the ground, so it's not like losing a yard of pace is going to affect his game over all. If anything, I believe TC has a hell of a lot more to offer, and will be in the double figures again next season, in which he will play a huge part as usual, and the season after. Totally delighted he is staying, and it is so refreshing to see a bit of genuine loyalty in today's game.
As for some saying that no big clubs would come in for him if he became available, if he was put up for sale tomorrow, there would be a massive clamour for him. No doubt! Clubs just don't bother, because they know what the answer would be. I hope to see him at the club for many years to come.
"I'd say one at the most at Premier League level".
Are you being serious? Whether Tim Cahill should start every match could be debated, but I don't think anyone could argue that he has got a good few years left in him at Premier League level whether it be regularly starting or in a couple of years being more of an impact sub.
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1 Posted 19/05/2010 at 06:49:33
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I always hoped he would stay on at the club in some capacity when he has finished playing, but from what you say, it seems he already has his plans to go back home.