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Mirallas will decide his future in the summer

The 27 year-old, signed by David Moyes from Olympiacos for a bargain £5.3m three seasons ago, has 18 months left to run on his current deal and although discussions have taken place over new terms, nothing will be decided until the summer.
“I don't feel any problem with my situation,” Mirallas told the Liverpool Echo. “I've spoken very well with the manager and the chairman, and there is no problem.
“The best thing, for me and for the team, is that I finish the season well. Then after that I will go away on holiday, and when I come back we will talk about my situation.
“But like I say, the most important thing in the meantime is to play well for the team.”
Mirallas has made no secret of his desire to get back into the Champions League at a time when he is reaching the peak of his career and Everton fear that if the club fail to achieve that goal this season they will find it hard to keep a player who has arguably been their most effective this season.
“I have been here for three years now, and to not have won a trophy in that time is difficult for me," he continued. "Hopefully we can fix that this season.”
The Belgian international turned in a star performance at Upton Park last night with a sumptuous free kick to force extra time in the FA Cup replay against West Ham and then setting up compatriot Romelu Lukaku to put the Blues into the lead.
He admits, though, that he is still playing with pain in his injured ankle and that the last few minutes of injury time were particularly painful given that he hasn't played a full game for a month.
“The reason I didn't start the last two games was because I have pain in my ankle,” Mirallas said. “It's difficult, because some days it is good, and some days it is not so good. Some days I train normally, some days I can't. The last two weeks, it has been difficult.
“After the Stoke City game (on Boxing Day), I was in a lot of pain and couldn't start against Newcastle. I did 30 minutes in that game but I still felt bad. And after the first game against West Ham, I felt bad, not fit.
“I have seen a specialist from Belgium over it. He came two days before the last game, and you can see I felt better after that! He worked his magic!
“I think in 10 days I will feel 100%. But for now, it is 90%. The main thing is that I am able to play.”
Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo
Reader Comments (92)
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2 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:17:37
3 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:19:28
4 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:20:10
Given our league position IÂd have thought itÂs pretty certain heÂll be off.
5 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:22:18
6 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:24:18
And we lose our highest scoring and assisting midfielder.
The price of this seasons failure may not be relegation but will more likely be the loss of some of our best players chasing money and trophies. Happily Southhampton have shown that sometimes that can work out quite handily....
7 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:31:27
There is no "I" in "team", but there are plenty of "I's" in "Individual selfish dickhead willing to piggyback on the achievement of others so he can validate the talent he only shows once every five games."
Arrogant. Ungrateful. Mercenary.
8 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:43:50
9 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:45:10
I don't expect him to be here beyond July.
10 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:42:27
Talented though he is, he is either an easy target for 'the shepherd's crook' or has ankles of glass.
Don't break the bank to keep him as with Lukaku but make sure we make some decent wedge.
11 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:44:23
The last player to leave that upset me was Rooney and then Jeffers before that. They dissapointed me because they were blues and that should be the ambitionband pinnacle of any boyhood blue to play for the team you support
12 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:47:29
13 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:52:06
If he wants to go, get the best price and go again.
14 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:53:15
He's not an Evertonian and as such he should do what he thinks is right for him and any family he has. Just like anyone moving jobs. If you get stuck in a rut you take on a new challenge? No?
15 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:54:33
Hahaha. Fantastic, John.
16 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:54:23
17 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:57:27
18 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:02:21
He's ambitious, wants to play in the Champions League and obviously has the talent to do so. At 27, he's running out of time and if we don't win the Europa League (and thereby get into the CL), he's off and who could blame him?
It's a short career and you get no prizes at the end of it for being loyal to a club that can't or won't buy the players needed to really compete.
19 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:10:51
England international, Leon Osman is fuming having read that post apparantly.
20 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:08:04
The cold truth is that Mirallas along with Lukaku and Naismith are the only real goal threats we regularly have.
Where else do our goals come from?
Barkley?
Barry?
Besic?
McGeady?
McCarthy?
Atsu?
Lose Mirallas then it's just another match-winner gone.
21 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:06:49
Of course, he is a hired man as others have said but some players are more open to hire than others. John Keating has it right. The club will survive the loss if he wishes to go.
22 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:02:59
However, he was a multi-millionaire before he joined us, the future of his family was secured - if he wants to achieve something, he should try harder.
All these players in the modern game never have to spend another day at work after they retire if they're smart. And all this hijacking of the vernacular of the common man to justify their self serving is, frankly, insulting.
These type of fence jumping players need a reality check. Or at least, a lesson in the value of loyalty which, to many, is worth more than money.
23 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:16:25
Mirallas is a class act (often).
24 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:11:36
Personally I think 㾶m would be good business rather than lose him for free
25 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:00:19
We could always get that certain guy make him say he wants to go that other club??? Just to be totally alienated? I still hope/think he'll realize we're his stage for proving he's any good!
26 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:30:56
27 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:33:17
The posts on here are right re glass ankles, injury prone etc, but when heÂs on song thereÂs few better. His performance against the hammers was brilliant.
I understand you shouldnÂt pick out particular games but is there anyone in the Premier League that plays to his potential every game? The club should play their part by bringing in quality players, not the likes of McGeady, Atsu, the bird man Kone. Come on, Bill and Bob, we can still salvage this season with the addition of a couple of quality signings. (Reid and Gray come to mind).
28 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:48:13
29 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:35:29
Man City have Aguero, Silver, Jovetic, Dzeko etc etc. but have still bought Bony from Swansea. Every day Sky gossip columns are filled with the rich clubs offering mega bucks for every famous player imaginable. We are hardly ever mentioned unless it is about our players being transferred elsewhere.
There is a song called ÂI who have nothing which include watching through windows with noses pressed up against window panes. That is us in a nutshell.Contractors are mercenaryÂs, I know because I was one.
A footballerÂs life at the top is pretty short and they will make as much as they can for their familyÂs and themselves as long as they can. All the best players want to play at the top level and personally I fully understand that philosophy and bear them no grudge for improving their situation wherever that may be.
If we have a poor to mediocre season we will lose some players.
30 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:11:57
Remember, if you had a contract at work for 18 months and was told to see it out and double your salary with a few million extra in the bank for doing the same job. What would you do?
Please don't talk about loyalty. If the chairman had a bid of 㿊 million or more for him or any other player, directions would be given to that club.
A player's career is short, how many of you out there earn an average of 㿊k a week till your 33 years old. Premier League footballers can retire at the end of their playing days or come into the real world of work.
That's the problem with football in this country, most working class people can't afford to go and Premier League football is not on national television. God help us all if sky pull the plug!
31 Posted 14/01/2015 at 21:56:07
32 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:14:11
33 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:12:42
The lad wants CL football and is completely within his right to keep his options open, just like myself and everyone else would do so. He's been loyal as far as the modern footballer goes, performed excellent and been a star performer.
Where you all slagging him off the other night as he was tearing the Hammers to shreds? He's a class act and we'll miss him but good luck to the lad. Well bank a nice fee and re invest so get off his back eh.
34 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:07:24
He was desperate for a move to the EL and, so far, he's achieved the square root of FA. Maybe, if he achieved something with us, I'd say good luck with a new challenge. But, he's coming across like a fence jumping mercenary. Perhaps we should give him Radsinki's phone number, could be the start of a beautiful Bro-mance.
35 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:22:12
I think he genuinely believes he is good enough to play for a top side in the Champions League and, on the basis of when he's been fit the last two seasons, who would argue?
36 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:13:11
Okay so your ordinary hard working person generally moves on and in most cases the factor usually being a better salary, but there are people who solely don't see that as a factor just to better themselves, there may be an opportunity progress there career i.e. becoming a manager, a head, a director etc. A title equally as rewarding as the monetary compensation. Others may want to fulfill there ambitions by applying knowledge they have gained and putting into practice at the highest level.
My point is whilst I accept that money is a motivator, it's not just the only one. 'Other' employee benefits may be far more enticing at another employer than the current one. In the case of Mirallas he could want more than just a salary, he wants to win silverware and play in the CL. Didn't Arteta take a play cut to join Arsenal? He's won an FA Cup and has played regular CL footy since moving from Everton.
37 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:25:04
I think he's played his best under Martinez too – to be fair to our boss.
38 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:28:15
39 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:36:35
He could play for any team in the top 4 and like Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar, Rooney, he wants CL football. And why not? That for Everton is the next step up. Maybe he thinks the same as many of us and that it isn't going to happen under RM.
It was always the outside chance of CL under Moyes that kept the squad together, now that's gone Mirallas leaving will be just the start, but then many have left it too late. Baines to Munich? Not any more.
40 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:45:38
We'll see what happens in the summer.
41 Posted 14/01/2015 at 22:56:53
IMO, if Man City was a sleeping giant, we are a sleeping behemoth. Mirallas seems to think that if Southampton (my second team) finish in the top four then that will be a step up because that is the level he's looking at.
Man Utd, Bayern, PSG etc, are not going to sign a 1-in-5 winger.
42 Posted 14/01/2015 at 23:26:09
I'm not sure at all Stones is the commanding centre half we are desperate for and as for Jags? I'm sick of seeing that man get slaughtered in the air from any kindof cross or setpieces.
Ideally if we had a bigger squad we would have loaned Stones out to get him beefed up more and a bit more used to the rough nature of defending, it's one thing being elegant moving with the ball but a defender must defend first and foremost.
I get sick of seeing us lose so many headers.
Forget whether Mirallas will go or not just yet and focus on the area of the pitch that could well take us down Roberto mate!!
43 Posted 14/01/2015 at 23:45:39
44 Posted 14/01/2015 at 23:38:33
He's worked hard for our club, but he's realistic that it probably isn't going to happen with us, and so are you, although it must be a little hard to see reason from your high horse. Football is a job and he feels he's making the best decision for his career.
45 Posted 14/01/2015 at 23:46:38
46 Posted 14/01/2015 at 23:49:46
47 Posted 15/01/2015 at 00:31:27
48 Posted 15/01/2015 at 01:27:45
49 Posted 15/01/2015 at 01:09:21
This sleeping giant is in a coma, itÂs touch and go wether we will ever wake up.
Mr Manwaring, Sir, IÂve a terrible feeling weÂre doomed, doorrmmed.
Thanks everyone for keeping me entertained.
50 Posted 15/01/2015 at 03:33:23
The talent was and is obviously there to make that last push. But a combination of poor management, poor play, and injuries has cost us this season. Mirallas, Lukaku, Coleman, Baines etc should all be taking this on as a personal challenge to prove their worth.
If you actually want a move to a richer club, why would they want to buy you if you can't even achieve top 4 level success at a club with 15+ senior internationals? Take responsibility and earn your move if you want it by playing to the maximum of your capabilities. Don't mail it in and then head off as if none of this was your fault.
No one is without blame. Up until the City game, very few representing the royal blue seemed to give a shit about this season and it showed. We're tied with freaking Villa and they've scored a paltry 11 goals. Our overall effort and organization has been downright embarrassing.
There isn't one player outside of maybe Baines that can say they totally deserve that 100k/week salary from a rich club. So get real and prove it. I've had enough talk this season.
51 Posted 15/01/2015 at 03:21:49
Decisions will have to be made. By him and by the club. Each will seek what's best for them and it won't be easy. He wants money and glory. We want his goal threat but we also need funds for new faces in various positions. I think he's off.
52 Posted 15/01/2015 at 06:19:58
Although many seem to have an indifferent attitude to his potential departure, I think he is absolutely critical to any success this club could hope to have. Without him in the team, there is little pace and goal threat.
53 Posted 15/01/2015 at 06:48:05
As enough people have said, no one is bigger than the club; if you do not want to be part of it, then do one. I don't buy into this 'I want CL football' I would rather players be honest and state "I wan't that last big financial move".
Simples – put up or shut up and go!!!!
54 Posted 15/01/2015 at 06:57:37
55 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:00:11
56 Posted 15/01/2015 at 07:59:06
It is up to the chairman of the club to put us in a position where we can constantly invest in the team and improve year on year
The chairman should have short, medium and long term plans to ensure this happens. We are allegedly lucky enough to have an Evertonian as chairman who wants what we all want???
As he has failed year on year this is where our anger should be directed and not at greedy individual footballers who are just hired hands
57 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:51:54
58 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:51:07
59 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:51:46
Not one of our few matchwinners like Mirallas.
Selling will just mean that Everton is still very much a selling club that can't hold on to its prized assets.
Mirallas has dug us out of the dirt many times already this season and is a big goal threat.
60 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:52:45
61 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:49:39
He chose us over Arsenal, so I don't think he's entirely money motivated.
He's not an Evertonian and he has ambitions which, possibly could have happened with us, but it's not looking likely now given our current demise.
The club should of made more effort to tie him down earlier so at the very least resale value is high.
These things happen all the time, at every club, the fact people still get upset or slag the player off is laughable!
62 Posted 15/01/2015 at 09:08:01
It's a shame because he is a game changer, probably our only one.
63 Posted 15/01/2015 at 08:52:26
When he’s interested, he’s dangerous, when he’s not...not so much. He’s kind of streaky player. There are times he’s
invisible for large parts of the game. Defensively, he’s adequate.
Currently, he’s probably our best winger, but if we were to lose his 8 or 9 goals, we wouldn’t self destruct.
Message to Bill: What ever Mirallas decides to do, we need a couple wingers....and a couple CBs....and another right back. Get right on that, will you. There’s a good lad.
64 Posted 15/01/2015 at 09:36:20
65 Posted 15/01/2015 at 09:44:59
Mirallas is our best attacking midfielder by far..he has 8 goals in all comps this season, in spite of some injuries, and can be devastating on form. His loss would be massive for us, but it's not a loss we should be surprised at. We brought him for a good amount, and he choose us over Arsenal apparently. He has performed well for us, and we for him, but have utterly fallen away this season. He is getting older, and like most competitive footballers, wants to win more trophies and play in UCL before he retires. There will be plenty of teams who would like to add his directness, especially because he can operate from the right and the left. We might be forced to sell at a lower price, but we should be looking for 12-15mil for him in my opinion.
66 Posted 15/01/2015 at 09:49:28
67 Posted 15/01/2015 at 10:01:32
68 Posted 15/01/2015 at 10:04:18
However he is 27 and sadly I can see his point if he feels it's his last chance of winning anything is by moving on.
How depressing to think EFC can't deliver what the better players crave - success on the field.
69 Posted 15/01/2015 at 10:43:19
I suspect he's a bit of a prima donna and very much the international mercenary. The sort of player you expect to move on whether the going is good or not.
The irony is that, the better he plays for us, the more likely is he to find a more lucrative home elsewhere.
70 Posted 15/01/2015 at 10:58:19
Are there any decent wingers at Wigan? IÂm sure Bobby will be looking... got to laugh, eh.
71 Posted 15/01/2015 at 11:16:41
72 Posted 15/01/2015 at 13:46:17
If we win the Europa League and don't get relegated then there is a good chance Mirallas will stay. Otherwise he'll be off.
He's class and I'm pretty sure he'd be more suited to a continental league where he doesn't get the shite kicked out of him every time he played!
73 Posted 15/01/2015 at 14:04:49
A friend of mine summed the situation up several years back. "I love football. I hate footballers".
74 Posted 15/01/2015 at 14:30:20
Furthermore we have Lukaku here on a permanent deal who said pretty much the same thing regarding where he wanted to be post Chelsea. The fact that it's reported that KM was on the phone to Rom telling him to come means that there is a chance the favour will be returned, and we need to make signings be it January or in the Summer as a few players seem to need to be moved on, be it for form,fitness or rapidly approaching fortieth birthdays . A couple of quality signings and we will have his signature too, if not we have all summer to replace him and will make a profit on him, he is going to cost circa 9million
75 Posted 15/01/2015 at 15:12:49
76 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:22:01
Good luck to him if he wants to have a career elsewhere and actually win something - he certainly won't win anything here at Everton. You may have noticed the fact we haven't been close to winning anything for 20 years, barring a loss in an FA Cup final.
Everton are not a force as far as todays players are concerned, simply because in their adult life time, we haven't won a damn thing!!
77 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:34:47
78 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:30:38
He has changed a few games for us, but heÂs also disappeared in games without a trace. Looks as if heÂs already made up his mind.
79 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:45:16
Mirallas is Belgian not Evertonian ... Why spend his career winning nothing when he can move to a bigger club on twice his wages and a few medals?? ItÂs a no brainer.
He is the only player at this present moment within our group of so called "amazing" and "phenomenal" attackers that doesnÂt freeze everytime we come across a side that can actually defend!
80 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:48:22
As fans thatÂs the same attitude we should have – not slate him for having hopes and ambitions. I still have fond memories of Â85 and almost getting sacked Âcos I went back to the smoke a day late after winning the league
82 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:56:13
83 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:20:56
84 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:43:00
Tier 1: Barkley, Colman, Lukaku, McCarthy, and Stones.
Mirallas - I would almost put there, but all the same, I hope we hang on to him, he is talented and does give it his all. But, in general, it is easier to replace a winger than most other positions.
Deulofeu as a replacement?
85 Posted 15/01/2015 at 18:01:33
We missed the boat years ago.
86 Posted 15/01/2015 at 18:02:52
87 Posted 15/01/2015 at 18:21:05
88 Posted 15/01/2015 at 18:43:37
If Keven was so good a club would now be after him. but they are not.
If he goes he goes. I said at the start of the season this will be transition, although I didn't think we would be hovering so close to the relegation zone!
Next season wiill be better
89 Posted 15/01/2015 at 19:06:54
90 Posted 15/01/2015 at 19:23:11
91 Posted 15/01/2015 at 19:09:59
Made of glass though!!
92 Posted 15/01/2015 at 21:47:50
93 Posted 17/01/2015 at 01:25:07
He's poorly treated by Martinez both this and last season and is often a scapegoat even though his work rate is as high as most in our team.
He's a bit of an in-and-out style player, as are most players of his kind (other than the odd 㿔M man) but, despite being the most creative player at the Blues he was left out at times last season for Del Boy and now for McGeady. For me, Mirallas would be the first name on my team sheet.
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1 Posted 14/01/2015 at 20:16:41
Poor bugger..