Henen happy to continue developing at Everton

, 15 January, 11comments | Jump to most recent

David Henen says that he is enjoying his time with Everton and is open-minded about where he plays for the remainder of the season.

The 18 year-old Belgian, who is on loan with the Blues' Under-21s side for the season, discussed his future with L'Avenir in his homeland this week and explained that the standard of the U21s Premier League means that he isn't itching to play first-team football like he was in France when he was on loan at Monaco from Anderlecht.

Asked if he saw himself pushing for a first-team berth, Henen said: "Not in the short term because the Premier League is incomparable to championships such as Belgium or others.

"Very few attackers at 18 play it. Especially at Everton who wants to play a leading role. I am no longer in the same [frame of mind] as Monaco where I really wanted to play fast at first. The under-21 [standard in England] is very high."

Henen looked set to become a permanent acquisition for Roberto Martinez last summer but ended up signing for Olympiakos on a four-year deal and then signing immediately on loan for Everton where he had spent the previous few weeks training.

He is effectively on a season-long trial in David Unsworth's U21s side at the end of which Everton have the option to buy him outright but the striker admitted that he could link up with his parent club earlier than planned if they need him.

"Insofar as I am currently in the UK and I feel good, I see myself more at Everton at the moment," Henen continued. "But if Olympiakos needs me, I'll play for the Greek club."

"[They are] far from being a second-class club. Just see them in the Champions League including the victory against Juventus. The Greek club is a good club in Europe and I am happy to have signed a 4-year contract."

Translated quotes sourced from Here Is The City

Reader Comments (11)

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James Marshall
1 Posted 15/01/2015 at 16:27:07

It still doesn't make any sense to me this deal. Why the hell did Olympiakos buy a player to then loan to us, we don't use him, then maybe we buy him from them? What? Why? What's in it for Olympiakos?

It stinks if you ask me.

Mike Hughes
2 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:07:10

I agree. This deal is as mystery to rank alongside the Bermuda Triangle; Area 51; JFK; the identity of Jack the Ripper; selling Alan Ball and Andy Gray; why EFC donÂ’t practice defending or taking corners or set-pieces; the media obsession with ex-rs players; police incompetence regarding Savile; EvertonÂ’s pre-season preparations; Cilla BlackÂ’s alleged Â’talentÂ’ and why anyone other than masochists would listen to/watch/employ Edwina Currie (R5L occasionally). And the Yeti.

Ben Jones
3 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:32:52

I don't get why everyone is so confused.

Olympiakos bought him then loaned him to us. We develop him and if he impresses, we buy him presumably a lot more than Olympiakos bought him for. We get a prospect and Olympiakos make a profit, win win for both sides.

If not, we send him back and Olympiakos gets him back with a year development in a Premier League side.

Matt Barnes
4 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:36:18

If I am remember rightly, Everton wasnt prepared to pay 𧷤k for him without a trial and Olympiakos were happy to pay that, loan him to us and if he is any good we can have him for 𧹈k. Pointless really.

Tim Greeley
5 Posted 15/01/2015 at 17:52:47

My newest strategy (its catchy, get ready): BMB = Buy More Belgians. That's it. Buy em all!
Our starting 11 in two years:

Belgian GK (not Minolet!)
Coleman Stones BelgianDEF Garbutt
Besic McCarthy
Mirralas(Belgian) Barkley Belgian WING
Lukaku (Belgian)
Bench: 4 more Belgians, Oviedo, Ledson, Galloway

Steve Woods
6 Posted 15/01/2015 at 19:04:39

Mike Hughes @ 2. That is a great post lad and gave this increasingly hacked off and jaded Evertonian of fifty years a good chuckle. Thanks!

Jamie Crowley
7 Posted 15/01/2015 at 20:11:32

Very funny Tim! I think it'd actually work too.

Frank Crewe
8 Posted 15/01/2015 at 20:32:53

I'd forgotten all about this guy. No doubt he'll hang around the academy for a year and then get sent back to Olympiakos. Another waste of time.

Mike Hughes
9 Posted 15/01/2015 at 21:31:19

Steve #6
No worries. As an increasingly hacked off and jaded Evertonian of 48 years IÂ’m just made up someoneÂ’s called me Â’ladÂ’!

Jim Bennings
10 Posted 16/01/2015 at 09:00:48

Either way it's hard to see this fella staying here beyond this season, he won't have done enough for us to shell out for him and the Greeks will want him back probably.

Like most of these young players (particularly from abroad) we sign, the vast majority hang around the reserves for a year or longer, if they are extremely lucky like Vellios or Gueye they get a smattering of first team appearances but in the main they just come and go without too much notice.

Remember the Portuguese kid Joao Silva I think his name? Or Anderson da Silva? Francisco Junior? Guilleme Plessis?

Too many to be bothered mentioning.

The one that looks like he escaped us though and I'm regretting is Eric Dier. He seems to be forging himself a bit of a career.

Helen Mallon
11 Posted 17/01/2015 at 13:02:44

Mike Hughes Â– that made me laugh!

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