Vlasic envisages being sold by Everton

Thursday, 10 January, 2019 71comments  |  Jump to most recent

Nikola Vlasic continues to talk as though he has no future at Goodison Park where he felt as though he wasn't given a decent chance after Ronald Koeman was fired.

The Croatian U21 international is spending the season on loan at CSKA Moscow where he has scored seven times in 20 games so far, including the winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League last year.

Marco Silva told Vlasic last summer that he would be better off seeking a loan move for the season as he couldn't guarantee him regular first-team football this season but it is not clear what, if any, plans the Portuguese has for him going forward.

Vlasic was signed from Hajduk Split in August 2017 and made 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and generally looking highly capable despite being overlooked by David Unsworth and Sam Allardyce.

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Speaking with Russian website, Sportske, Vlasic describes the brand of football played under Allardyce as “awful” and says that with Everton targeting bigger names from big clubs as part of Marcel Brands's plans, he thinks he will be sold to help fund new signings in the coming close season.

“Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton] next season],” Vlasic said in comments .

“Everton spent $100m last year on reinforcements and about $90m on just three players — Richarlison, (Yerry) Mina and (Lucas) Digne. They are looking for great names and players from big clubs like Barcelona. Despite these huge investments, the team is currently in the 11th place, which means there will be new big purchases.

“I know they have firmly decided that they will try to be the ‘new Tottenham' [to try to] join the biggest league clubs.

“[To sign the kind of player to achieve that] will require £50m [in] reinforcements. So I expect them to sell me as soon as they get their first bid.”

Asked what went wrong during his time at Everton, the Croatian explained:

“Everything changed after Koeman left. The football played under Big Sam was awful, if it could even be called football. I did not have the status nor [did I get] the minutes. I don't have a place in such football.

“Personally, I had nothing to do with Silva. He had known he would join Everton since the end of 2017 that he would take over at Everton [but] he could not see me because I did not play. During the summer he brought [new], very expensive players, and logically that he did not [see a role for] me.

“The club is great, the fans are very good and I do not have any bitterness in me but I didn't feel that they were very concerned about me. [They] somehow underestimated me because I came from the Croatia league.

“But when you bring three players out of Barcelona in a few days, then it's clear that you do not have much care for those who came from the small league.”

Quotes adapted from original Google translate by Royal Blue Mersey



Reader Comments (71)

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Jerome Shields
1 Posted 11/01/2019 at 06:53:14
My advice to Vlasic was is to talk to Lookman, rather than his pole-vaulting sister. I do think he is better than Tosun, but tellingly neither Brands nor Silva do. They loaned him to CSKA Moscow to improve his game.
Mark Andersson
2 Posted 11/01/2019 at 06:59:56
Sounds bitter to me... But he's right about Sam Alwayshite.
Anthony A Hughes
3 Posted 11/01/2019 at 07:13:34
Speaking his mind and it's hard to argue with what he has to say.
Kim Vivian
4 Posted 11/01/2019 at 07:27:40
If not bitter per se, then certainly 'pissed'.

I agree, Anthony.

Kevin Prytherch
5 Posted 11/01/2019 at 07:39:38
I hope he comes back.

At present we have no real replacement for Sigurdsson, Silva blatantly didn't trust Dowell.

This is Vlasic's and Dowell's chance to prove they can be a capable understudy.

Derek Knox
6 Posted 11/01/2019 at 08:10:19
While I agree that he was unlucky to an extent being with us with poor management, I am also ambivalent that when he was given a chance, like many others have, he didn't exactly pull up any trees.

So I'm not sure whether I would like him to stay or not, there are no questions regarding his age or recently proved ability, but whether he wants to be with us, and would he be more than an occasional bench warmer?

Having said that, I am not sure Silva knows what direction we are going in, and whether Vlasic is part of any future that may contain. So if that is the case, it may be better to 'cash in' on him while he is hot property, and get someone who wants to be a part of whatever plan Silva envisages.

Martin Berry
7 Posted 11/01/2019 at 08:52:55
I saw enough in flashes to see there is an exciting player there, but he probably needs Sigurdsson's Number 10 shirt, that maybe difficult to grab for a while. I would definitely have him back as there is a lot of "growing room" in him.

As for Allardyce, Nikola is just confirming what we all know, static survival football where progression is stifled by dinosaur tactics.

Trevor Peers
8 Posted 11/01/2019 at 08:54:51
Just get rid, we'll be waiting for ever for his potential to materialise at Everton. He has a lot to say about the Blues, most of it bad; he did nothing before Allardyce arrived and has had plenty of opportunities to impress.
Steven Jones
9 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:01:10
Brands needs to analyse his game and see if he fits longer team in the style, formation and options for the 1st Team.

Think like the early days of Arteta: we played him in wide positions where he is not suited and central positions we have a, lot of competition.

With the way he has trained on this season on loan, creating and scoring goals from the midfield, perhaps he could get a run to keep Davies or Gomes out or on their toes...

Over to Marcel .

Anthony A Hughes
10 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:08:19
I would like to get him back and get him integrated into the squad. There's obviously a talented player here.

If we're to try and challenge at the top over the next couple of seasons, then we need a squad we're we have two players for every position. I do think he would provide an alternative to Sigurdsson when required.

Rennie Smith
11 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:10:21
Another player caught in the manager merry-go-round, bought by one, not played by the next because he wasn't 7 foot tall and built like a brick shithouse, farmed out so the next manager doesn't get a good look at him. Telling comments about the embarrassment that was lardarse's reign.

In the brief moments, I thought he showed promise and quite liked him, and I would have thought he's a Brands-style young, developing player. So I would like to see him brought back for a proper assessment before being told to do one.

Alan J Thompson
12 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:29:52
Being on the outside, it is hard to say what the truth is but it certainly looks like there is a belief that if they are good enough to be signed or played by Barcelona and Brazil then they should be good enough for us, and it is difficult to argue against that. My problem is that this management team seem to cover all bases by saying that developing young players through the club is important but they sign players from clubs they see as bigger than Everton and that may be a necessity in the short term.

Whatever, Silva and Brands will have to judge if they see Vlasic as a player that may improve the team now, possibly next season or if at all., and they themselves may face judgement on that.

Robert Leigh
13 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:32:13
Talks WAY too much — if it isn't him, it's his sister or his father.

Hopefully he continues to do well so we can get a decent fee for him — I think we paid £8m so anything over £15m is a good return.

Sam Hoare
14 Posted 11/01/2019 at 09:37:44
I really like this lad. Think he's a good footballer and I kind of like that he calls it as he see it.

7 goals in 22 matches. 3 in the Champions League. We are crying out for midfielders with more end product!

Dunno how suited he is to the Premier League but I hope he gets another shot with us.

Liam Reilly
15 Posted 11/01/2019 at 11:12:51
He's a good player, not afraid to take a player on and still young enough to develop.

Time will tell if he's good enough, but we don't have many options off the bench right now and he could offer something different to what we have today.

Rick Tarleton
16 Posted 11/01/2019 at 11:25:49
He's got a point. He was signed after his ability was demonstrated against us in the Europa League. Unfortunately, he was signed just after Klaassen, Rooney and Sigurdsson and was really surplus to requirements.

Basically his chances were restricted and after Koeman no-one even wanted him around. He was a teenager with language problems and only Besic who could have communicated with him.

He's been rather unfortunate, and never really been given a fair run. He may be very good and is certainly a prospect, but I doubt if he'll return to Goodison Park.

Tony Abrahams
17 Posted 11/01/2019 at 11:28:58
I'd talk as well if I was better than most of the shite we had at Everton last year.

Still very young, he's proving himself at Champions League level, and although I also don't know if he's suited to the Premier League, Silva has already said he believes good players can adapt to any league.

It doesn't look like he wants to come back though, but maybe this might change if he's made to feel part of the manager's plans.

Steve Ferns
18 Posted 11/01/2019 at 11:34:10
The problem with Vlasic is where do you play him?

He's not a winger, he's too slow for the wing and doesn't like it out there. He's not a central midfielder, he lacks defensive capabilities and was caught out badly a few times when he played there. Sure, he could develop with games under his belt, but I can't see him becoming a lad who likes a tackle.

Which leaves the Number 10 position. The problem was that he wasn't displacing Sigurdsson any time soon, and I think he still lacks that explosiveness I'd like to see.

On Silva not giving him a chance, there was a training match over the summer, which was broadcast on the official site. Vlasic wore a yellow bib and appeared to play “both ways”, that is he was always on the attacking side, changing teams as the ball changed possession. He was also clearly playing centrally in a Number 10 position. Sigurdsson was not around at this stage and for me Silva had a good look at him then and maybe that's all he needed to see he's not what he wants.

I don't need to see Tosun 50 times to know he's not fast, not tall, and lacks the ability to beat a man. I can also see just how good his shot is. But if his style doesn't fit my style, I can make a quick decision that he lacks the things I like in a player in his position. And that goes for Vlasic and for Tosun for me. I don't doubt either could do very well in a different team in a different league playing a different style. Neither are for me, and I don't think for Everton.

Jimmy Salt
19 Posted 11/01/2019 at 11:45:38
Needs to sort them sydies...
Brian Williams
20 Posted 11/01/2019 at 12:49:30
What Steve (#18) said.
John Pierce
21 Posted 11/01/2019 at 12:59:57
The lad, a proper gobshite to be fair, is just talking down his price.
We should off-load, maybe even in this window to create roster space.

He's got some quick feet and an eye for a pass; the rest of his game is simply not suited to the way Silva plays.


Eddie Dunn
22 Posted 11/01/2019 at 13:53:07
He is a typical eastern European player, used to playing neat little triangles, technically good and easy on the eye.

As others have said, though, where would we play him? He was an impulse, even a panic buy and like the other young lads; he had a roster of older, more expensive pros in front of him in the queue for minutes.

He seems to be doing well in Russia, but we have had a fair few from that league that have found the Premier League a tough nut to crack. Surely he will be sold asap.

Michael Lynch
23 Posted 11/01/2019 at 14:35:36
Shut up and accept that you weren't good enough. Now that doesn't mean you won't be the next Messi in a couple of years, though good luck with that one, but when you played for us you were mostly shit. Doesn't matter who the manager was, you were average at best and a liability at worst.

Andy King
24 Posted 11/01/2019 at 14:36:05
I think we need to make a decision on Vlasic in this window. His stock is about as high as it can get after the way he played against Real Madrid. If Silva and Brands have decided there's no place for him at us then sell him now.

Unless he destroys Barca, Bayern and Juve single-handedly his status or price is unlikely to be higher. On the other hand, if they feel he could be developed then reach out to him. Leave him in Russia where he's getting a game and doing well but send someone out to let him know he's wanted.

Personally, I think there is a decent player in there. He can pick a pass which is like gold dust in many of the tight games we're involved in. If we were linked with a new player at his age with his scoring and assist record we'd be excited. Understandable concern regarding playing in a weaker league would be countered by his performances in the Champions League.

Michael Williams
25 Posted 11/01/2019 at 14:56:13
It's a shame it hasn't worked out. I like his skills and ability to play in tight spaces.

The club has not only been wasteful with transfer money for young players the last couple of years, but buying all these players who are not given much of a chance or just don't work out for whatever reason, has also slowed the careers or development of some of these kids.

If I was a young player from a smaller club, I would think very very hard before coming here.

Fran Mitchell
26 Posted 11/01/2019 at 15:06:24
I don't get the vitriol spouted towards the lad. He's young and talented, and clearly, the move to Everton did not pan out as was expected. Anyone expect him to be praising the club?

He came here and the team was desperately unprepared for the League campaign, unfit and unbalanced despite spending much money.

He got a few chances, mainly wide left, and looked very promising. Quick feet, skilful, eye for a goal, but also clearly not a left winger. Then Koeman saw things were going badly, and reverted to using only the 'big names', and more or less dropped all young players from the squad – with the exception of Davies who carried on on the bench.

Koeman got axed in came the caveman and his '27 or older' philosophy.

The lad moves on and shows that he is a talent, scores in the Champions League, a top performer for his club. All the while, he looks on and sees that Everton continue to be quite crap.

We have no one in midfield who can do what he does except Sigurdsson; our dependence on him is extreme, and he doesn't always perform. I feel Vlasic would bring something much needed to this squad.

However, he clearly feels betrayed by his experience with us, and rightly so. I could well see him playing for a top team in the coming years, and we could well continue to frustrate in mid-table.

Fran Mitchell
27 Posted 11/01/2019 at 15:09:02
Our current midfield options on the bench are Davies and Schneiderlin.

Yet some people think Vlasic would not offer us anything.

Mike Gaynes
28 Posted 11/01/2019 at 15:37:12
Fran #27 and Andy #25, spot on.

Steve #18, agree with your assessment that he's a #10, but I think explosiveness is less than crucial for that position. Against Real Madrid, he showed silky touches and an almost insolent degree of composure on the ball. And he was the clear MotM in that victory. (Granted that it was against mostly Real Madrid's second unit, but Real Madrid's reserves would still constitute one of the top 20 clubs in the world.)

And back in October Silva said he was playing well and could return, which doesn't sound like he's made any final decisions on the kid. My guess is that, unless CSKA or somebody else comes in with a really strong offer this month, Vlasic will be back for the summer and the decision will be made then.

Jack Convery
29 Posted 11/01/2019 at 15:45:04
I agree with Fran @28. Vlasic is defo better than Davies and Schneiderlin.
David Connor
30 Posted 11/01/2019 at 16:07:17
Get rid; he isn't good enough. He had chances and never took them.

Let's start the cull... Hopefully another 7 or 8 to follow between now and the end of the summer transfer window.

John Pierce
31 Posted 11/01/2019 at 16:30:46
Except for... Vlasic would be just as bad in the positions Davies and Schniederlin play. He isn't a central midfielder.

He wouldn't get anywhere near our current team, behind Sigurdsson, Walcott, Bernard, Lookman, and Richarlison. Surely that's why he's on loan.

He'd get ruined in centre mid... come on, chaps.

Jamie Crowley
32 Posted 11/01/2019 at 16:31:35
Someone really needs to sit this kid down and simply tell him to shut the fuck up.

The boy talks too much. That simple.

Andrew Keatley
33 Posted 11/01/2019 at 17:13:43
Not sure that judging him on his showings last season is entirely fair; the first team was clearly a toxic place – and while other bigger-name players under-achieved game after game and still got picked, Vlasic got few chances and when he did play he was heavily criticised for defensive mistakes. No wonder he has bad feelings about it all.

I'd like to see him back. Quick feet, excellent close control, vision, the ability to turn with the ball in close quarters – there is a touch of the Leon Osman about him (but with a touch more pace, which isn't hard...).

I agree with Steve Ferns (and others) that he seems to benefit from playing more centrally. I don't know if people would describe Juan Mata or David Silva as Number 10s, but he seems cut from a similar cloth.

Daniel A Johnson
34 Posted 11/01/2019 at 17:48:05
I'm sick to death of this friggin guy. He's not trying to burn his bridges he's trying to blow them up.

As far as I'm concerned, he's another Premier League failure who's bitter. I don't want him back — he's a bad egg and, based on his comments so far, we can do without poison at Finch Farm.

John Pierce
35 Posted 11/01/2019 at 18:39:33
JaC, you sound like the man to do it. Give him a Floridian no-nonsense chat.
Jamie Crowley
36 Posted 11/01/2019 at 19:03:50
Sir John,

What kills me about this, and as Daniel @ 35 says, is the kid simply is destroying his bridges.

I like this kid. I think there's a player in there. It's not abnormal for a younger talent to go out on loan to hone his skills, and return to the larger parent club prepared to fight for a position. He has skills to make a real run at it.

But his incessant yip-yapping is doing him zero favors! He needs real, professional counsel. It absolutely needs to be delivered in a different manner, with a different approach and word-choice, but someone has to tell the kid to just be quiet already!

Simon Dalzell
37 Posted 11/01/2019 at 19:25:32
He needs to keep his big gob shut. Concentrate solely on his game, and see where that takes him.
Fran Mitchell
38 Posted 11/01/2019 at 19:36:48
"Needs to keep his gob shut"

Why?

Footballers give interviews, it is part and parcel of the game. Recently, Gomes gave one saying how great Everton have made him feel. Should he also 'shut his gob'? Is he 'blowing up the bridges' with Barca? Should he just accept that 'he was crap and failed, now he's at a mid-table team... at his level'?

Vlasic gets interviewed, heck, he's the best player in Russia, a Croatia international, possibly viewed in his home nation as Modric's heir. Should he avoid interviews? Should he refuse to answer any question he receives regarding his parent-club?

Simon Dalzell
39 Posted 11/01/2019 at 19:53:31
Fran. The comparison with Gomes is just ridiculous. Of course he shouldn't avoid interviews. It's just the crass ill-advised comments that are likely to harm his career.

I'd like to see him succeed back with us, but he is making that more unlikely. If he'd left us permanently, it would be more understandable, but not acceptable while he is away on loan.

Dermot Byrne
40 Posted 11/01/2019 at 19:59:24
There is nothing worse than a footballer interview.

"Well obviously it's a game of two halves and obviously the gaffer said to the boys we need to pull together and do it for the fans coz obviously... blah blah blah."

Fran Mitchell
41 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:04:05
What are the crass comments?

“Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton] next season],” — obviously an answer to a question along the lines of 'do you expect to go back to Everton?"

“Everton spent $100m last year on reinforcements and about $90m on just three players — Richarlison, (Yerry) Mina and (Lucas) Digne." — which is true.

"They are looking for great names and players from big clubs like Barcelona." — true again.

"Despite these huge investments, the team is currently in the 11th place, which means there will be new big purchases." — oooh, contro oh no, just stating the obvious.

“I know they have firmly decided that they will try to be the ‘new Tottenham' [to try to] join the biggest league clubs." — uhum...

“[To sign the kind of player to achieve that] will require £50m [in] reinforcements. So I expect them to sell me as soon as they get their first bid.” — honest opinion.

“Everything changed after Koeman left." — in his case totally, he was frozen out almost completely.

"The football played under Big Sam was awful, if it could even be called football." — anyone disagree? That is why Sam got the sack.

"I did not have the status nor [did I get] the minutes." — true.

"I don't have a place in such football." — fair doos.

“Personally, I had nothing to do with Silva. He had known he would join Everton since the end of 2017 that he would take over at Everton [but] he could not see me because I did not play. During the summer he brought [new], very expensive players, and logically that he did not [see a role for] me." — again, nothing absurd, no insult, no arrogance, just the way he saw it.

“The club is great, the fans are very good and I do not have any bitterness in me but I didn't feel that they were very concerned about me. [They] somehow underestimated me because I came from the Croatia league." — how dare he say such things

“But when you bring three players out of Barcelona in a few days, then it's clear that you do not have much care for those who came from the small league.” — which is basically what most people on here say 'mickey mouse league' etc.

He obviously feels he didn't get a fair shot here. I agree.

Dermot Byrne
42 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:16:04
Oh, lighten up, Fran. It's Friday, work for most is done and just a very gentle piss-take out of (though it should be conceded) mostly English footballer interviews.
Fran Mitchell
43 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:22:21
I'm very lightened up here, thanks, got a barrel of homemade IPA and enjoying the 32-degree weather that the northeast of Brazil provides.

It's those who seem to be frothing at the mouth at what Vlasic is saying who need to lighten up.

Dennis Ng
44 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:24:01
Jamie 37, I like him as well and I see his comments as just speaking to the facts. Let's see what Silva does when he comes back from loan.

Clearly, Silva could have kept Vlasic for more options as weapons but that would be unfair to Vlasic as he will sit most games.

If Vlasic gets sold, it's another one that got away (out of the many hundreds) but, if not, we have a good young core to look forward to!

Simon Dalzell
45 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:25:06
Fair play, Fran. I didn't read his full interview, and read snippets here and there. Crass was the wrong word; after reading your well-crafted post #42, I'm willing to say I was too harsh.

Though I do think he talks too much about his lack of playing time. We could do with him now perhaps couldn't we? Enjoy your IPA. I'm looking forward to a few tomorrow night.

Fran Mitchell
46 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:25:54
I also don't care much for football interviews, especially when one interview is stretched into 3 or 4 different news pieces over the course of a week. You then see fans saying 'he doesn't shut his gob' as if he had given 3 or 4 different interviews.
Paul Avery
47 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:28:06
Mike @29, I generally like your posts, always well informed... but I have got to question where you get that Real Madrid reserves would be in the top twenty in The world! They lost to CSKA!

But I do agree that Vlasic will be back in the summer.

Dermot Byrne
48 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:38:02
With you on that, Fran.

Actually it is the frigging journos I hate not the footballers. Footballers are good at football so perhaps I shouldn't expect them to be great story tellers too. Journos, whose job it is to tell stories, are mostly shit at that, as well as football!

Mike Gaynes
49 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:47:19
Sorry, Jamie, I call bullshit on ya. I don't think he's said anything out of line, and I don't think he's burning any bridges at all.

Want a side bet that he'll be back in training with the rest of the club come summer, with no grudges held?

Jason Wilkinson
50 Posted 11/01/2019 at 20:55:45
Not good enough for the next two years of the 10-year plan. (I can't see him hanging around or going on loan after loan until he is.) We must buy players to fit a system not the other way round.

Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs have all bought players to fit a pattern of play. We seem to buy players then try to play to their strengths (or weaknesses).

Walcott never liked playing on the wing at Arsenal. Richarlison does so we make him play as a No 9. We buy Sigurdsson, Rooney and Klaassen in one window? Need I say more?

Mike Gaynes
51 Posted 11/01/2019 at 21:04:52
Paul #48, it's just an off-the-cuff opinion, but the Real Madrid side that lost to CSKA included Courtois, Marcelo, Isco, Asensio, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos in addition to some highly-rated youngsters. So yes, I'd say that's a side that could cruise to a top-4 finish in most of the world's best leagues.

They lost to an inspired CSKA because they're having a suck-ass season – mostly because 45 goals left for Juventus, but also because of two poor coaching hires and a president who has lost the plot. But the talent is spectacular.

Christine Foster
52 Posted 11/01/2019 at 21:25:41
Timing and fit... to be honest, he is a promising player getting better, sometimes clubs loan out players to improve and he may just have done that. But he was bought at a bad time, as one says, in the middle of a managerial roundabout and he has been an unwitting casualty.

New managers have to make impacts with the players they have or purchase, Silva obviously either didn't think he was ready / good enough or that he had sufficient cover already.

Purchasing impact players leaves promising ones with a mountain to climb and in truth only 11 can take to the field. Sometimes you have to move on because it didn't work out, and probably won't under Brands and Silva.

Good luck to him; I rate him higher than a bunch of others out on loan.

Peter Gorman
53 Posted 11/01/2019 at 21:33:10
"Everything changed after Koeman left. The football played under Big Sam was awful"

You little liar - it was already bloody awful.

Jamie Crowley
54 Posted 11/01/2019 at 21:54:40
Mike G,

Of course he's going to come back in the summer and say all the right things. He'll be back in our camp. What else is he going to do?

I've seen way too many interviews with this kid. He's got a big mouth. Why in the world do you say, “Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton [next season],”

That's just not an intelligent thing to say in the least.

And this whole "he said nothing wrong" I can't abide either. He's saying things in a slanted way that are negative and won't do him any favors with our team – the only thing I particularly care about.

“Honestly, I don't believe [I will be back at Everton] next season].” Read – "Yo Everton, I ain't comin' back."

"Despite these huge investments, the team is currently in the 11th place."
Read - Everton are brain dead and have splashed cash with no results.

Conversely, not a mention of "it's a project" or, "the manager needs time to adjust and implement his system." Nothing positive. Just step-in-it shit talk.

"I did not have the status nor [did I get] the minutes." Read – They bought a bunch of expensive dudes who have a reputation, so they shut me out.

None of this is positive. None of this is the type of thing a kid who's committed to improving while out on loan says, if he wants or intends to return to his parent Club and fight for a place in the squad.

Try this:

You ask, "What do you think of my Mom?"

I say, "Your Mom's fat."

Not nice. But let's say your Mum pushes maximum capacity, is around 300 lbs, doesn't exercise, and eats too much. In short, it's not politically correct, I shouldn't say it, but it's true. She's a lard ass.

You could say, "Jamie didn't say anything wrong. He just told it like it is. What do you want from him? He's not in PR! He's just answering questions!"

Hit the bullshit button – and do it quickly. That's disingenuous, or at worst simply flawed thinking.

Vlasic needs to shut his damn gob. He's calling Everton's Mom fat. If you can't see that, you're putting blinders on, or you're gullible.

Actually, he can say whatever the heck he wants. But his current track will not bode well for a future at Everton.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Paul Birmingham
55 Posted 11/01/2019 at 22:56:24
By the tone of his interview, he's now feeling wanted and loved which is how he said it was when he arrived at EFC.

I don't know if he was scouted before we played Hadjuk but buying a player on a couple of performances, and one cracking goal against us, is not for me a proven means of spending £10M.

I do believe he can play but I don't see him as a winger, but may be more suited to a role that is more of a diamond type role, but this needs him to play to a system with the forwards. We have no proper centre-forwards...

For me, he's gone in heart, mind and soul, and – due to the last manager – didn't get a fair crack.

Let's hope he keeps his good form up and we can trade him for a profit for £15M.

I can't see him wanting to come back, so I'm sure Brands will advocate his progress and we get a decent profit on him.

Dan Davies
56 Posted 11/01/2019 at 22:58:53
Sigurdsson isn't Superman – he can't play every game. Vlasic is very talented and, in my eyes, has proved he deserves a second chance. A player speaking his mind for once, I like it.

Let's get him back in the squad and tell Billy Big Bollocks to back his mouth up! This boy could save us a fortune long term. What if Sigurdsson got a bad injury?

Mike Gaynes
57 Posted 11/01/2019 at 23:02:43
Jamie, comparing his comments about Everton to insulting somebody's mom is just way, way too much of a reach.

And I find nothing he said to be unintelligent or harmful to the club, and I don't think he has endangered his future at all. I think that will be determined entirely by his performance on the pitch, not in interviews.

You have a good one too.

Phil Smith
58 Posted 11/01/2019 at 23:41:54
This lad is class. Can't wait to see what he can do in our team in the New Year. He should be pushing Sigurdsson for that number 10 position and he'll score goals for sure.
Phil Smith
59 Posted 11/01/2019 at 00:05:00
And Paul (56), that's just how Man Utd bought Ronaldo!
Derek Thomas
60 Posted 12/01/2019 at 00:44:25
He's either good enough or he ain't, at the moment he's been playing in a biggish, but not mega big league and going toe to toe with Real Madrid and scoring in the Champions League.

Then there's the next big thing Dowell, where is he again and hows he going there.?

If we had an emergency and could bring one back, gobby interviews notwithstanding, football-wise, who would you pick?

There might only be 3 or 4 decent 'young' players in the whole Club (What price the academy? That's another question) but Vlasic and Lookman are 2 of them.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

61 Posted 12/01/2019 at 00:45:00
Some folk are easily offended. Nowt wrong with his comments for me. Give me more players with a bit of attitude, confidence in their own ability, determined to do whatever it takes to succeed.

It also helps if you've got some ability as a footballer. Even in the clusterfuck of last season, he showed he has. He certainly has displayed it in his Champions League performances this season.

Whether he has a future at Everton will, I fancy, be determined by Brands and Silva pretty quickly in the summer.

Steven Astley
62 Posted 12/01/2019 at 08:32:52
Not good enough. Poor attitude. End of.
Danny O'Neill
63 Posted 12/01/2019 at 14:36:42
He's got my respect for his view on Sam Allardyce. "If you can call that football". Quality.

That aside, I hope he comes back and gets a chance. There's definitely a player there if you have him in the right team and surroundings; and still very young.

Alan J Thompson
64 Posted 12/01/2019 at 14:56:15
Mike Gaynes (#58);

Well said.

Jamie Crowley
65 Posted 12/01/2019 at 16:21:22
Jay @62 -

For the record, I’m not offended in the least.

Exasperated.

I’d prefer to see young Vlasic conduct himself differently to improve his chances of making the first team. I think he’s got talent.

But as you say, it’s certainly possible, although not my personal preference, that his “moxy” can help his assent.

Time will tell.

Justin Doone
66 Posted 12/01/2019 at 20:47:14
A really talented player, I rate him easily ahead of Sandro and Dowell who also play as that support attacker, Number 10, or modern day forward but without the true attributes of a winger, striker or midfielder.

Under the right coach and players he could flourish but there's few similar players that make an impact in the Premier league without outstanding pace.

I believe in him, not sure about the current team but we are still progressing and adapting to Silva and hopefully, after a full season on loan, he can come back and play a big part in our success next season.

Lee Brownlie
67 Posted 13/01/2019 at 08:21:23
Andrew (#33) 'Cut from the same cloth as Juan Mata and David Silva'.. ???.. yeah, right.
Karl Meighan
68 Posted 13/01/2019 at 10:21:12
"They are looking for great names and players from big Clubs" – not just quality players and who cares where they come from.

Frozen out under Allardyce? He wasn't first choice under Koeman, Vlasic showed a few glimpses and whilst it's never easy coming to a different country, better league and struggling side, the truth is his performances were not good enough to be anything other than a squad player.

Walcott seems to be everyone's favourite whipping boy at this time yet Vlasic, who is more in and out of games than him, is seen by many as a player who must be kept.

Justin Doone
69 Posted 13/01/2019 at 18:55:59
Everyone knows Walcott. What he can and can't do. At his age, I don't see him improving, and although he's probably still in his prime age, fitness-wise, IMO he never was or will be a top-class player.

He has pace, his work rate has improved, but everything else – shooting, decision-making, dribbling, passing, crossing – is probably not going to improve and he's never been consistent or all that good at any of it.

Vlasic, on the other hand, like Lookman, Calvert-Lewin and others, has ability. It's a matter of improving that ability and becoming a consistent top performer through his own attributes, plus hard work and the right attitude.

At this moment in time, I agree the majority of fans, including me, would have Walcott ahead of him and that's why we loan players out. To learn and prove themselves that they are good players if given a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if, this time next season, Vlasic is ahead of Walcott.

Colin Metcalfe
70 Posted 13/01/2019 at 19:03:53
I am surprised we bought him, to be honest; it's something I go on about a lot, I know... but there are players in the Premier League who are just glorified sprinters and Walcott is one of them. He is very fast but, as a footballer, his skill is limited and his finishing leaves a lot to be desired.
Mike Keating
71 Posted 13/01/2019 at 23:56:55
Bought by Koeman... Say no more.

That man destroyed Everton's first real toss of the dice.

I hope Vlasic makes it but who does he replace in the current line-up?


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