Relegation, anger and abandoned games - the dramatic end to Everton misfit's dreadful loan spell

Sunday, 26 May, 2019 14comments  |  Jump to most recent

Shani Tarashaj's stuttering career hit a new low this season with his latest loan spell at his boyhood club, Grasshopper Zurich, which ended in tears, relegation and rioting from the fans.

Once vaunted in his own country as having the potential to be the next Xherdan Shaqiri, the Swiss will return to Finch Farm again this summer but with his future very much uncertain.

» Read the full article at Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (14)

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Fran Mitchell
1 Posted 26/05/2019 at 15:57:55
Seems injury has curtailed any chance of a top-level career. We can never truly say whether he had the potential or not, we never saw him.

Hopefully the lad can still make a career for himself, probably in one if the lower leagues across Europe.

Probably will leave on loan again until his contract expires.

Mike Gaynes
3 Posted 26/05/2019 at 16:27:49
I can't remember anyone but Roberto being excited about this signing, which was apparently inspired by the only purple patch of the player's career -- 7 in 10 early in the 2015-16 season at Grasshoppers.

From the moment he signed with us in January 2016, as best I can determine Tarashaj has scored exactly five goals in all competitions... four at Grasshoppers and one at Frankfurt. All in 2016.

Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 27/05/2019 at 01:59:58
Just another astounding waste of money. But the club will no doubt argue it only takes one John Stones to rebalance the books and justify investment in the unknown.

And it's this kind of investment in the potential of young players that the club has set its store on... let's see how many leave and how many more come in through the summer window...

David Pearl
5 Posted 28/05/2019 at 13:12:55
It wasn't so long ago I was thinking that Garbutt, Galloway and Browning would take over from Jags, Distin and Baines.

As for the Echo, I'm done reading it for the political agenda they spout.

Tom Bowers
6 Posted 28/05/2019 at 13:29:03
Seems to me Everton have wasted more money on players based on a one-game showing. Now, I know that's exaggerated but many will know what I mean.

Everton have had many ''future'' stars only for them to implode before they did anything.

I hasten to add that many players who are sent on loan are not really up to snuff and when they return are the same way.

Barkley was rated, went on loan, came back, shone for a while but has become an average player and will not get any better.

Jon Withey
7 Posted 28/05/2019 at 14:21:45
Harsh on Barkley – playing for Chelsea and England should rate you above average.

It's a waste of money, but these are relatively small bets.

It's worth spending a bit more though – Lookman, Onyekuru and Vlasic all seem to be valued at something of a transfer profit. I couldn't tell you if that makes up for their wages.

James Hughes
8 Posted 28/05/2019 at 14:52:22
Illustrates the point that if recruitment and club management are at odds with each other, then anything is possible.

Grasshoppers have won multiple cups and titles and after 68 years they have been relegated. Management and direction of the club seems to be forgotten.

Still early doors for some of our hierarchy but I hope we take notice.

Kieran Kinsella
9 Posted 28/05/2019 at 15:55:12
Mike 3, Michael 4,

Agree with you both. Immediately he looked like a fish out water. It was the same predicament as when we signed Niasse. It was like Martinez made transfer decisions based off weekly reviews from Shoot! magazine or something.

One thing I would give Moyes credit for was his due diligence. I saw a news piece one time and Moyesy kept diligent records of basically every halfway decent player under the age of 23. Some ended up signing, many never did... but the research was thorough.

Clarence Yurcan
10 Posted 28/05/2019 at 21:10:39
I remember there was some hype when we first signed this guy. I don't remember: did he ever play in a game for Everton?
Michael Kenrick
11 Posted 28/05/2019 at 21:24:05
Yes and no, Clarence.

He has played for Everton U23s (twice).

He has not played for the Everton first team proper (except in some meaningless friendlies that don't count as official appearances).

Mike Gaynes
12 Posted 28/05/2019 at 21:28:10
Nope, Clarence, he didn't. He made two brief appearances for the U23s.

Oops, Michael beat me to it. Quicker hands there.

Kieran Kinsella
13 Posted 28/05/2019 at 21:34:06
Besic is another one like Tarashaj that Martinez signed on the basis of one good game in the 2010 World Cup. Just imagine if Martinez goes to Barcelona? Glenn Murray will score a double one week and find himself replacing Suarez in the next window.
Bill Gienapp
14 Posted 28/05/2019 at 22:57:02
I'll admit, I was kind of intrigued by this guy when he first signed for us. He was on Switzerland's squad for the 2016 Euros, so it's not like he was a complete joker. But he got caught in a black hole of injuries and failed loan stints and that was pretty much the end of that.
Derek Knox
15 Posted 05/06/2019 at 16:52:36
Tom @6, true mate and another old Everton trait springs to mind with some of the duds over the years, a player who had his 'best, or once in a lifetime game against us next thing we are recruiting him, and he reverts back to mediocrity.

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