Belgians feature in behind-closed-doors exercise

, 11 August, 45comments  |  Jump to most recent
Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against a Sheffield Wednesday XI today as they regain their sharpness ahead of the new season.

Lukaku apparently scored twice in a 4-1 win but it is unclear whether either player will start at Leicester when the new Premier League campaign kicks off on Saturday.

Both players had extended breaks after the World Cup and did not feature in any of the Blues' full pre-season friendlies.

Seamus Coleman did not partake in the match, though, increasing doubts that he will play at the King Power Stadium this weekend. The Irish fullback is still nursing a hamstring strain picked up in pre-season.  



Reader Comments (45)

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Sam Higgins
1 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:04:09
Lets hope they are both ready to go on Saturday. Along with Christian Atsu!!
Sam Higgins
2 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:05:11
And is it me or are the club treating David Henen like shit?
Wayne Smyth
3 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:10:16
Sam, what's the hold-up with Henen? Do you know Everton are responsible for the delay/impasse?
Colin Glassar
4 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:12:31
It's Anderlecht Wayne, they want double the original fee and loads of add ons which could increase the amount by a great deal.
Alan Ross
5 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:14:52
Operation Goodison Excercise!!!!
Kristian Boyce
6 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:18:25
We won a game finally.
Trevor Thompson
7 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:21:36
Kristian, funny enough, I was thinking that. I actually got a bit excited for a second. Ha ha
Derek Knox
8 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:08:06
While the news about Rom and SuperKev, is encouraging it does not necessarily mean they will be automatic starters, on Saturday.

I have a hunch that we will start with the game without them, and they will be on the bench, depending on whether the starting eleven are swimming, or if sinking, he may decide to bring them to the rescue. I hope, that is not the case, and obviously, likewise that it is not too late in the game, to have any effect.

As for David Henen, I fail to see what further hold-ups there could be, and I agree they seem to have had him long enough, for things like agreements and paperwork, to have been ironed out, behind the scenes.

There again we all, and I include myself in that, are often too quick to assume it is incompetence at our end, but in reality it could well be the parent club, and, or, agents. (spit)

Peter Holmes
9 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:29:22
We're gonna win the league, were gonna win the league.....

Do you think perhaps I am going over the top with this result?

Wayne Smyth
10 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:31:19
Colin, that's what I'd read too.

I assumed from Sam's comment that I'd missed something.

Derek Knox
11 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:29:26
Kristian and Trevor, they could have had the decency to put it on Everton TV, we have almost forgotten what it looks like to win a pre-season game. :-)
Sam Higgins
12 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:33:26
Quibbling over £3m ridiculous. He could be fantastic.
Sam Higgins
13 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:37:01
Wayne regardless if Aderlecht have asked for more cash Everton shouldn’t just leave the poor boy hanging about pissing in the wind, he’s 18 years old.
Dan Brierley
14 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:45:26
You're right, Sam, fuck football – let's open an orphanage for kids with greedy clubs. Poor little thing.
Jon Withey
15 Posted 11/08/2014 at 21:58:34
So who else scored?
Derek Knox
16 Posted 11/08/2014 at 22:05:31
Jon# 15

I can't help you there with that one mate, because it WASN'T on Everton TV.:-)

James Stewart
17 Posted 11/08/2014 at 22:10:28
Starting without Mirallas and Lukaku would be suicide. Play them get in front then bring them off.
Barry McNally
18 Posted 11/08/2014 at 22:22:31
Hibbo bagged a brace, one from his own half!
Paul Dark
19 Posted 11/08/2014 at 22:23:48
Dan and Sam: I think you both have a point.

If Anderlecht have changed the terms of the deal drastically, then Everton can't just accept passively. However, a fast resolution without the player being publicly frustrated would be beneficial to the club (we have, after all, two senior Belgian players at the club), not only the player. Moreover, we should do our business more quietly and clinically, as in the old days (as much as that is possible in the modern world, anyway).

It's clear from Henen's tweets that either he's a bit of a loose cannon or that the club just haven't kept him in the loop sufficiently. The latter is unacceptable, if the case.

Having said all that, I hope we get him.

John Malone
20 Posted 11/08/2014 at 22:26:21
Honestly not arsed about the Henen deal. What is there to say he is going to be a top player anyway? We’re not rolling in cash so to be put over a barrel by any club over a young prospect shouldn’t be allowed to happen.

Besic only cost £4 million and he’s an established international who’s just had a decent World Cup. I’d much rather use whatever cash we’ve got to improve the senior squad for this coming season and do everything in our power to win a trophy or get in the top four, then spread the cash around.

Harold Matthews
21 Posted 11/08/2014 at 23:16:51
Great to have the lads back. Not worried about the Henen thing. It'll be sorted. More concerned about the casual, half asleep, amateur defending.
Derek Knox
22 Posted 11/08/2014 at 23:37:27
Aw hey Harold, the defence admittedly has been sponsored by Mogadon of late, but rumour has it, that they are due new sponsors before Saturday.

How could it be amateur defending, when they are getting a handsome purse? :-)

Something has got to be changed for Saturday mate, it'll be hard enough to score goals without the Belgians, and the prolific Kone, but if we start shipping them at the back.

We're doomed! (John Laurie / Phil Walling)

Ant Dwyer
23 Posted 12/08/2014 at 00:30:26
James Stewart @17;

You are spot-on, mate: Lukaku and Mirallas have to start at the weekend an try and bag us the points within the first hour or so.

As for Henen, we need to get this lad sewn up. There’s been so much written about him and all his potential, it would be a crying shame if we were to allow this deal to slip through our hands now.

Craig Fletcher
24 Posted 12/08/2014 at 02:28:49
Great to see Rom and Kev get some minutes under their belt.

And thankfully we signed big Rom before this injury to Drogba – I wonder if the demented one is now thinking getting rid of Lukaku wasn’t so wise after all now that his golden child (Drogba) is injured. Sounds serious, too – it’s being reported he’s out for four months.

Joe Clitherow
25 Posted 12/08/2014 at 03:30:31
Not having a go at you particularly Sam (#12) but your comment seems to encapsulate a thread I have noticed from some posters on here, namely

"Quibbling over £3M ridiculous. He could be fantastic."

Conversely he could be rubbish, and that’s £3M... That’s THREE MILLION POUNDS!!

It is clear that people saying ’just pay it, no quibble’ just shows the total absence of experience of fiscal responsibility and appropriate risk profile assessment for many fans. That’s real money, not a computer simulation, and if any responsible officer of any company I held shares in did not ’quibble’ over sums like that, I’d be calling for his/her head as that is the road to bankruptcy.

Every player is a commodity, with a value and an upper payment limit determined by the market. If one side suddenly decides that the value is twice our valuation, then I for one am more than happy that my club is prepared to walk away from a deal rather than just pay whatever anyone demands.

I still really can’t get my head around the concept of a statement like ’Quibbling over £3m ... ridiculous.’ – Jesus!!!

Dick Fearon
26 Posted 12/08/2014 at 06:20:05
The quibble is not over £3m, it is over the £1.5m increase above the reported fee. He must have enough in his locker to warrant that original £1.5m.

If the deal falls through, we should teach Anderlecht a lesson by charging them for his month's board.

Dave Lawley
27 Posted 12/08/2014 at 08:48:32
I would guess Henan probably has enough in his locker/potential to warrant the full 3M, if that had been the price from the start we may well have paid it, however the issue seems to be the increase from 1.5M agreed price to 3M? by his parent club as is being reported, in this scenario I hope we will do what is required to get the player as I think he may well be worth it but at the same time the club do right to not be made mugs of.
Jon Withey
28 Posted 12/08/2014 at 08:59:33
It's all a bit clandestine isn't it ? Was the goal Robles fault ? Did Osman misplace a pass ? The big teases !
Matt Traynor
29 Posted 12/08/2014 at 09:18:58
Jon #28, why do you need official confirmation of the match facts? Of course it was Robles fault. That fucker Hibbert should've cut out the ball. And if Osman hadn't lost possession in the first place (even though he wasn't playing).

etc. etc., you know the drill fella.

Sam Higgins
30 Posted 12/08/2014 at 09:19:44
Look, I’m all for Everton taking a stance but Joe, you’re talking about £3M in the real world. The English Premier League is not the real world. It is a league where Fellaini will sell for nearly £30M!! Man City are buying players I’ve never heard of at £30M a time. So in the Premier League £3M is a quibble!
Geoff Harrison
31 Posted 12/08/2014 at 09:19:16
I'm fairly relaxed on the Henan deal. He's been here for a month, they've had a good look at him. If he's worth it, they'll pay.
Thomas Surgenor
32 Posted 12/08/2014 at 10:09:27
I can’t believe people saying "it’s only £3 million" — It’s not FOOTBALL MANAGER, folks!

£3 million IS still a lot of money for someone who is going to play in our Under-21s! £3 million could get us Seamus, Cahill, Arteta, Gibson, Pienaar (first time round) for our FIRST TEAM!

This kid could be another Scott Sinclair! If it’s going to be £3 million, I’d expect pitch time with the first team this season. £3 million means he needs to be a lot better than McAleny, Long etc!

Ajay Gopal
33 Posted 12/08/2014 at 09:59:51
I don't think Lukaku and Mirallas will start against Leicester. Knowing the fitness levels of the players (including Coleman), I wouldn't be surprised to see the following starting line-up:

Howard
Stones Jagielka Distin Baines
McGeady McCarthy Barry Pienaar
Barkley Naismith

Subs: Robles, Hibbert, Besic, Gibson, Mirallas, Osman, Lukaku

Lukaku on at the 70th minute. Mirallas and Besic in the last 5-10 minutes, if we are leading by a handy margin.

The formation to close out the match could be (4-3-3):

Howard
Stones Jagielka Distin Baines
McCarthy Besic Barry
Mirallas Lukaku Naismith

(McGeady, Pienaar, Barkley subbed)

That is one strong looking bench! (And this is without Kone, Atsu, Oviedo, Coleman, Alcaraz, Garbutt, Duffy, Browning, Long, Another Loan Striker).

I would be okay with a 1-1 draw, but would love a 3-0 result (not going to happen!). This season, we are definitely going to smash someone 6-0..:-) COYB!

Tony J Williams
34 Posted 12/08/2014 at 10:47:28
Isn't it strange that our only win was behind closed doors and not televised.......... Did it even happen? Did we actually get beat but the spin masters have changed the score? Who invented liquid soap and why?
Phil Walling
35 Posted 12/08/2014 at 10:56:10
I think you have the starting line-up right, Ajay, but don't be surprised to see Hibbo get a game.

You've covered most of the bases with your 'strong bench' but failed to discuss tactics if (God forbid) we go behind.

Surely you (and Bobby) won't keep us waiting until 70 mins to see 'the Belgians', will you?

Jack Plant
36 Posted 12/08/2014 at 12:36:48
Sam 30, sure £3m will only get you a tenth of a Fellaini, but, on the other hand, that's 50 Seamus Colemans! It's a lot of money for a player who is essentially just a punt.

He may have all the potential in the world and go on to score us a sack full of goals but its just as likely that he'll spend a couple of years out on loan before moving to wolves for £500k.

There's no right answer either way but I'm glad we're taking the time to assess this one.

Jon Withey
37 Posted 12/08/2014 at 12:48:21
£3 million (plus wages) is a decent amount of money for Everton and could cover a decent loan for the first team or a significant debt reduction. In short, it shouldn't be urinated up the wall on a Magaye Gueye.

If Martinez is convinced he will be the next Messi, then I'm sure the deal will be completed – £3 million or not.

Harold Matthews
38 Posted 12/08/2014 at 12:40:01
Ajay, I'm not a tactical expert so I'll give you a quote from someone who is. A certain Mr Van Gaal. "You can only play 4-3-3 if the two centrebacks are very comfortable on the ball." In your line-up you have Jags and Distin.
Alan Brown
39 Posted 12/08/2014 at 13:01:01
All seems a little odd this. It was a Sheffield Wed 11. Is this their youth team? Wednesday have a league cup match tonight. So they either sent their kids over or the whole thing was a non competitive training exercise. Either way not ideal preparation for our lads for the Leicester game.
Mike Allison
40 Posted 12/08/2014 at 13:34:50
Alan it will have been reserve and youth players, and yes, it absolutely was just a training exercise, that's why it was behind closed doors.

As for those worrying about pre-season in general, Lee Carsley writing in the Echo points out that the Everton players may well have had a training session on the morning of the game.

They certainly didn't prepare for the games in the normal way as they will have been 'over-training' to be fully fit for Leicester on Saturday rather than holding back in order to peak for the match at hand, which after all is said and done, did not matter one tiny little bit.

Phill Thompson
41 Posted 12/08/2014 at 14:37:29
Lukaku should be fit enough for 60 mins plus from start but perhaps better last 30 mins running at tiring defence. Is he match sharp ? Probably not , but I don't recall him playing too much for Chelski before he joined us last year, and he hit the ground running then.
Keith Glazzard
42 Posted 12/08/2014 at 14:54:16
I'm starting to wonder if Roberto is playing mind games. I hope so.
Mark Tanton
43 Posted 12/08/2014 at 15:22:08
The last time Bobby played mind games over injuries was in the run up to the Anfield derby....
Dave Lawley
45 Posted 12/08/2014 at 22:20:25
John Stones was 2.5/3M and well worth it, its always a gamble with young players, the fact we want him at all suggests RM thinks he can make it to the big time.
David Midgley
46 Posted 14/08/2014 at 12:09:44
Stoke City signed Bojan Krijic for £1 million from Barca. He’s scored 3 times in preseason friendlies. Straight into the first team . I would have preferred Bobby to have bought him. Don’t we have a Barcelona connection?

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