Moyes makes Pienaar next priority

Lyndon Lloyd , 5 July, 42comments | Jump to most recent

'Steven has made it clear he wants to come back to Everton'

David Moyes appears to have made his retention of Steven Pienaar his next priority after landing Steven Naismith yesterday.

The manager is confident that it is the South African's desire to stay with the Blues and that is where his efforts will be concentrated next.

Asked if he thought the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane had changed Pienaar's mind about wanting to return permanently to Everton, Moyes said: "I don't know if it has or not."

"I don't like talking about players at other clubs but I think the fact of the matter is that Steven has made it clear he wants to come back to Everton.

"By my understanding that hasn't changed. My next job hopefully in the coming weeks is to get Steven Pienaar here as well.

"We're keen and I hope in time that we will be able to conclude that deal," Moyes said.

Quotes or other material sourced from Evertonfc.com

Reader Comments (42)

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Keith Glazzard
1 Posted 05/07/2012 at 15:51:44

So - continuing from the last thread on this matter, Moyes doesn't say this kind of thing lightly. In fact, he hardly ever says this kind of thing at all. He must be fairly sure he'll get what he wants.

James Flynn
2 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:08:02

Agree Keith. Unlike Moyes to make these kind of statements. Granted, he didn't call a press conference to announce this and was just answering some question posed. But I liked his response.

Fingers crossed.

Danny Broderick
3 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:10:41

Over to Kenwright.

Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:34:20

Not yet, Danny. Over to AVB. It's his decision first. Whatever Pienaar's and Moyes' preferences are, they're irrelevant if AVB decides he wants him back at Spurs.

Keith Glazzard
5 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:54:40

Absolutely right Mike - and Moyes knows that of course. So back to - why would he say what he's said?

John House
6 Posted 05/07/2012 at 16:58:04

Encouraging though.

Tony J Williams
7 Posted 05/07/2012 at 17:05:55

Mike, a combination of Pienaar and AVB, but ultimately it will be Pienaar who decides what happens. Too much player powers around these days.

Steve Smith
8 Posted 05/07/2012 at 17:30:42

Quite strange that he answered a couple of questions about Pienaar, and then in the very next breath, said he doesn't talk about players at other clubs when asked about Hoilett and Rodellega

Kevin Day
9 Posted 05/07/2012 at 17:50:28

Above all else, it's very encouraging to see all this activity early for once. I get optimistic at the start of most seasons but, if we do get Pienaar and an out-and-out right-wing player, then I think it could turn out to be our best summer for a long long time which should produce a good season. Here's to hope!

Mike Gaynes
10 Posted 05/07/2012 at 17:57:09

Keith and Tony, just pointing out that Moyes admitted he doesn't know whether AVB's appointment has changed Pienaar's mind. To me, that indicates they haven't talked since AVB was appointed. We'll see.

And Tony, have to disagree... superstars can call their own shots, but not most everyday pros. Ask Joseph Yobo.

Brian Waring
11 Posted 05/07/2012 at 18:07:22

Didn't Pienaar come out the other day, and say that he could still stay at Spurs if the new manager could gaurantee his first team football?

James Flynn
12 Posted 05/07/2012 at 18:04:30

I would add that things now will move forward, one way or the other, since AVB's been signed. Wouldn't have made much sense for Spurs to make a personnel decision without the new manager's input.

Also, will AVB keep a player who wants out, given the severe finger-burning he suffered last year by the Chelsea players? Yes, Piennar doesn't pull the same weight a Lampard or Terry does. But still, once bitten twice shy?

Interesting about AVB, he has to be under enormous pressure to get Spurs out the gate on fire. If he doesn't, how long before the cries for his head?

Andy Meighan
13 Posted 05/07/2012 at 19:12:04

It sounds promising to me... if one signature has got to be secured then it's this. Kenwright has to pull all the stops out on this one. Pienaar is absolutley vital to us; he's the one who dictates how we play, he makes us tick – you only have to look how we improved since January when he and the other two signings came.

It's unusual for even Moyes to be mentioning players so I think he even knows himself how important he is to us. Steven and a couple more signings to go with what we've got and we might banish these ridiculous slow starts once and for all... Here's hoping!!!

Jamie Crowley
14 Posted 05/07/2012 at 19:31:43

I can't see Spurs keeping Pienaar. Bale, Vanderfart, Lennon, Modric....

there's no room and AVB hasn't brought in a single one of his "own" players. I'd be surprised if he kept him.

Many ppl said on this site that Pienaar would rot on the bench at Spurs if he left for the money. He did, and will continue to do so if he doesn't move on. To come back is logical - unless of course you're in it solely for the pay day.

Hmmm.....

Ian Bennett
15 Posted 05/07/2012 at 19:37:48

Jamie ask sigaardson.

Ian Bennett
16 Posted 05/07/2012 at 19:40:42

Add sigaardson

Chris James
17 Posted 05/07/2012 at 20:28:25

This is a very encouraging statement.

If we can get Pienaar as well as Naismith...
....plus keep hold of Felli and Baines...
...AND add one or two more free transfers/loanees (likes of Pranjic and that Polish full-back for instance as cover) then I'd personally be over the bloody moon.

I'm already happy we've got Naismith in and seem intent on doing other business early.

Ian Bennett
18 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:16:45

Chris and get Moyes on a longer deal.

Mick Gallagher
19 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:22:53

Makes a change being linked with players instead of them leaving.

Andrew Ellams
20 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:21:27

Maybe Hoilett is a better option anyway. Out with the old and in with the new and all that. Arteta gone, Saha an Yak gone, Cahill maybe on his way out and no more Pienaar and replace with good younger players like Jelavic, Hoilett,Naismith and Rodellega along with the Fellaini and Gibson partnership in the middle. Next year the back four

Peter Warren
21 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:35:21

I'd rather have Piennar than Hoilett , great player for us week in week out, he is the heartbeat of our side and Jelavic shall score 20 goals with piennar in the team

Si Cooper
22 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:14:55

James (290), I think what a lot of people are worried about is that Pienaar isn't coming across as someone who necessarily wants to leave. He was quoted as saying (on the subject of his future at Spurs) something along the lines that he will have to speak to AVB and requires assurance that he will be considered going forward. I assume he had some kind of assurance from 'Arry before he signed.

The quote was obviously in response to a question but you can't tell if Pienaar had a chance to think about his response or the time to give a lengthy one. Nevertheless, his answer was very meek and bland and just doesn't seem to be a response which really matches up to David Moyes reading of the situation, and so, far from being encouraged by this statement, I am now more worried that the club is seriously out of the loop on this one.

As I have already written elsewhere, it seems to me that Pienaar could have been a lot more positive about his credentials as a proven EPL player, and forthright about his desire to be making a contribution week-in and week-out, without in any way being insulting or negative about his current employers.

Ryan Holroyd
23 Posted 05/07/2012 at 21:56:49

I think it's up to the Spurs chairman whether Pienaar comes or stays. Not AVB. Pienaar will be an Everton player by the time the season starts.

Gary Hegarty
24 Posted 05/07/2012 at 22:11:48

Does anyone expect Pienaar to come out and publicly say he wants out?? What then happens if the clubs can't agree a fee - I think the colloquial terms would be "shitting on your own doorstep"

Danny Broderick
25 Posted 05/07/2012 at 22:43:48

When I said 'Over to Kenwright', it's because the next step would be us putting a bid in for the player. After that,it's up to Levy and AVB whether they wish to accept it or not. My guess is it would take at least £5 million,because you can forget any thoughts of them selling him back for the price they paid for him. They got him for a steal, because his contract only had 6 months to run. You can be sure that if they decide to let him go,there will be many clubs in for him, at home and abroad.
So is Bill gonna find some investment to fund it? Are we gonna be able to even place a bid? My guess is it will come down to player sales. Hopefully this will be Joseph Yobo rather than Fellaini or Baines,but I'm not too confident.

James Flynn
26 Posted 05/07/2012 at 22:53:00

Si - Piennar will get 1st team play with us. This is a given. He will. Can AVB assure him of that? I suppose he could. But, then, what about the players who were 1st team for Spurs last season?

It seems his current salary will be excepted by EFC and that's the only reason he left. Plus, I really believe AVB will not want to start the season with sulking players on the bench.

Look, who knows what's going to happen? It just feels like he's coming back to us.

Si Cooper
27 Posted 05/07/2012 at 23:08:05

James, I agree that Pienaar's best chance to play consistently is with us and think he could have easily said something like, "Like any other professional I feel I need to be playing every week, and I have shown that I am capable of making a major contribution in the EPL. It is well known that Everton are interested in re-signing me but I am contracted to Spurs and will have to wait and see whether the new manager wants to keep me there."
Job done, no-one insulted, simple statement of facts, but with a positive slant that he isn't satisfied with being a bench-warmer (showing professional pride and personal integrity, not what I would term 'shitting on your own door-step').
Pienaar says if the new Spurs manager wants him he is staying, David Moyes says he wants to join us. Both things can't be right.
Who would you trust more, someone who says "If the new manager gives me assurances, I will stay." whilst all the time plotting his exit, or someone who is prepared to say it like it is. If I was a Spurs fan and saw what Moyes has said I would be up in arms over it. That is what is disrespectful to their club.
It just seems to me that Pienaar is hedging his bets and may easily take the occasional start under AVB rather than returning to us.

Mark Riding
28 Posted 05/07/2012 at 23:41:29

Like I mentioned on a previous thread, it's the African Cup of Nations coming up in South Africa next year. He won't be available for a few months anyway...

Christ, he may even be banged up over there for the assault. Surely got to knock a few quid off?

James Flynn
29 Posted 06/07/2012 at 02:21:25

Si - Fair enough. You've put more thought into it than I. I think Steven's handled himself well with his statements (especially with Van Persie's disgraceful behavior to weigh it against). And Moyes's statement was no news flash.

The main thing for me is how Pienaar will ever get like playing time at Spurs or even anything close to the minutes he gets with us. I can't see how AVB can assure him of the first-team starts he will get at Goodison. It won't happen.

Brian Waring
30 Posted 06/07/2012 at 08:44:33

James, what has Van Persie done that is disgraceful? He carried Arsenal last season, and only for him they would have finished mid - table. He had a meeting with Wenger and the Arsenal board, and by the sounds of it they couldn't match his ambitions. Van Persie wants to win things, and at the age of 29 doesn't have time on his side. So, how is being ambitious, disgraceful?

Peter Barnes
31 Posted 06/07/2012 at 11:43:02

I think we can sometimes read rather too much into comments made by players. Also how they are reported and in whichever context etc.

From our point of view imo Peinaar simply makes us tick.He is a winger but offers us more than that.If we can get him back for around the £3m mark then along with Naismith and keeping current players on board then I would say that we would have had our best summers in years.

As already commented in here the ultimate decision is with Spurs.
The same applies to the Everton players staying.The ultimate decision is with Everton.However neither club are likely to keep players who express a desire to leave.

If I was a betting man I would say Pienaar will come back to Everton simply because the Spurs move has proven to not work for him and for Spurs they have other players and will have no real need for him and for Everton we do.

Jem Traynor
32 Posted 06/07/2012 at 12:23:52

I too really really really hope this happens for us!!! We were virtually unplayable second half of the season and Pienaar's presence was instrumental. So please, whoever — make it happen!!!

Jem Traynor
33 Posted 06/07/2012 at 12:25:52

I think Pienaar should be trying to force this deal through, If he can't see how well he sits at Everton and how sketchy his position is at Spurs (considering their midfield options), he MUST be mad and think his chances of CL football are better there!!!

That would be very strange to me as Spurs are set out to counter-attack and use pace — something Pienaar isn't known for... he will be the sorry one if he doesn't see how patent this situation is!!!

Mark Sheward
34 Posted 06/07/2012 at 13:01:06

Don't Spurs need central defenders rather desperately? Why can't we offload that megastar Joseph Yobo who has now played in a far "technically superior league" and would therefore fit into AVB's plans?

A straight swap will do me – after all, Yobo is a Champions League player.

Mark Sheward
35 Posted 06/07/2012 at 13:12:15

There's another point we have overlooked:

Pienaar and Saha were heavily criticised for congratulating Chelsea on winning the Champions League — a result that meant Spurs were denied their spot on league placing.

Maybe the Spurs chairman will remember...

Colin Potter
36 Posted 06/07/2012 at 13:52:45

I would think Hoilet would be a much better choice than Pienaar. He is a few years younger than Pienaar,and his wages wouldn't be as high either. If he got the raise that he wanted at Spurs,then I doubt whether he would take a drop in his wages. His attitude before he left us, was to me all money orientated,and that he wouldn't have minded where he would have ended up,as long as he got the cash that he wanted.

James Flynn
37 Posted 06/07/2012 at 14:34:53

Brian - That statement he released this last weekend. Took one gigantic pair of balls to fuck over the team that stood by him all these years. Did you know Mr. Medical Chart was already on 90K a week before this season started? Never having participated in more than 28 league games any season with Arsenal.

By "ambition" he means pay me like a superstar, which he's never been. He just completed his only year playing at the full extent of his considerable abilities. And that year was the one after which he'd have his only opportunity at a major contract. Gee, when does that ever happen?

I reject completely the idea that his discussion with ownership had to do with challenging for silverware. It had to do with salary, plain and simple. Yes, Arsenal could pay him ManCity wages. They have the money. But what about the ripple effect that would have on the rest of the squad? Wouldn't teammates demand increases in salary too? Yes, they would. Happens all the time. So, bullshit on RVP pretending he's "ambitious" and the Club isn't.

The funniest part of his "ambition" statement was how he conveniently forgot to mention some of the missed silverware opportunities were due to his being unavailable. Again and again and again.

He should have just kept his trap shut. If he'd said something along the lines of, "I appreciate Arsenal have a specific way of building teams and part of that is to not get into bidding competitions with Club possessing a bottomless war chest. I hope the fans will understand the financial opportunity being offered me elsewhere is difficult to turn down. I want to thank the organization, Mr. Wenger, and most of all the fans for sticking with me over all the years I was injured. I apologize that I was able to deliver at the full extent of my talents for only one season. I know how my repeated absence from the squad had a direct effect on the Clubs ability to win silverware. I'll always be Arsenal in my heart, God bless, good luck (etc)".

That would have been a fair statement. Not this nonsense pretending it wasn't all about money. Not to mention, he wasn't exactly putting his teammates in a good light, was he.

Jack Prescott
38 Posted 06/07/2012 at 21:47:23

From the signs he made last day of the season it didnt look likely, but fingers crossed

Nick Armitage
39 Posted 07/07/2012 at 00:42:54

Little bird tells me he is signing very soon indeed ;)

Andy Crooks
40 Posted 07/07/2012 at 00:47:23

James Flynn, good post. Van Persie is a vastly overrated greedy bastard. He is, in my view, the epitome of what I would describe as Great Goal Syndrome. A player scores a spectacular goal and it has the amazing effect of wiping out the memories of any shite he has previously served up. It inflates his value and,worse still, his ego.

Micky Walsh did it for Blackpool with one screamer which made Everton believe that, not only was he not fucking useless, he was worth spending big money on. The prime example of this is the tragic Justin Fashinau; he scored a beaut of a goal that was fundamental in destroying his life. The tap-in guys are best and you know what, I think in Jelavic we've got a good one.

Roberto Birquet
41 Posted 07/07/2012 at 01:29:30

Steve
Quite strange that he answered a couple of questions about Pienaar, and then in ... said he doesn't talk about players at other clubs when asked about Hoilett and Rodellega ...
-----------------
Even more so when Rodellega is not at another club. Come to think of it, is Hoilett?

James Flynn
42 Posted 07/07/2012 at 03:27:09

Andy - Fuck him. No-class hump. Not our problem anyway.

And agree on Jela. Still amazed this guy was just sitting there waiting to be taken. What luck.

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