Report: Everton plan contract talks with Gibson

, 3 July, 117comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton plan to hold talks with Darron Gibson over an extension to his current contract according to the Liverpool Echo.

The Irish international is entering the final year of his contract at Goodison Park and Roberto Martinez appears ready to hand him new terms in an effort to keep him at the club.

Gibson has endured a torrid run of injuries in his time with the Blues and made just a handful of appearances last season after returning from a long layoff following a cruciate knee ligament injury.

His 2014-15 season was ended prematurely by a foot fracture, ending his hopes of making a central midfield slot his own.

 

Reader Comments (117)

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John Audsley
1 Posted 03/07/2015 at 18:58:09
Gibson is one of my favourite players, he is the only midfielder we have that talks and can control a game.

BUT...

He is sadly never fit long enough to be the player he should be. I’m very happy for him to stay at EFC for as long as possible but we will be lucky to get 10 games a season out of him. In football terms, it's pretty tragic really.

Paul Jeronovich
2 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:22:36
Great player when fit but it would be better if he goes AND McCarthy is given better terms and stays with wages saved???
James Morgan
3 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:28:09
This guy should be on 'pay as you play'. Can’t trust he will be fit for 5 games in a row.
Brian Harrison
4 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:25:26
What a great shame the lad has suffered so many injuries; when fit he is the best passer of the ball at the club. Everytime he gets the ball his first thought is to look forward for a positive pass, unlike his team mates Barry, McCarthy, Besic and soon to be joined by Cleverley whose first thoughts are safety-first passes. I would be very pleased if he can start the season fully fit, and let RM pick someone to partner him in midfield.
Ian Bennett
5 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:34:24
Good player, but surely someone we need to replace rather than reward with another contract. How many games is he likely to make 2 years time?
Mike Hayes
6 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:33:22
I don’t think we lost a game when Gibson played and, as stated before, he knows how to pass forward and gives the fans something to get behind the attack for. Kept fit, he is an asset on the pitch
Ross Edwards
7 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:37:43
Why? He’s done well for us but he’s just too injury prone and a waste of wages sat on the sidelines.

IF we can maintain his fitness it’s probably not bad but you just can’t trust his fitness as James says.

We’re giving our most injury prone player a new contract but still dithering over McCarthy’s new deal? Come on, sort your priorities out.

Steve Chesters
8 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:44:41
If they have any brains, it’ll be a 'pay as you play' basis; otherwise, I’d sell him. Shame but he will always be injury prone.
Lee Courtliff
9 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:49:48
He’s an excellent player, far better than I originally thought.

But he’s never fit. Ever. As much as I like him, I think we should let him go and use his wages on someone who can actually contribute consistently.

Trevor Lynes
10 Posted 03/07/2015 at 19:57:13
I reckon he should be shipped out! McCarthy should be kept as he is at least fit !

Players who cannot play are overheads we cannot afford. It is an absolute joke to give injured players contract extensions while holding out against players who play regularly like McCarthy.

Chris Gould
11 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:14:54
We absolutely have to persevere with Gibson. A player of his type is hard to find. We keep buying central midfielders and none of them has his ability to pick a pass. Who are these younger ball players we should be looking at instead?

Yes, it’s unlikely he will play as regularly as we’d like, but it’s worth keeping him on the roster for the games he is fit for.

Steve Guy
12 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:18:12
This feels like charity. Great player when he’s fit, but that’s once in a Blue moon. We carry too many players who are fringe at best. Unfortunately he’s one of them.
Dick Brady
13 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:20:20
Good player but injury prone. Why give him a new contract just so he can play 5 games a season for the next 3 years? I would offer him a pay-as-you-play type contract.
Conor Skelly
14 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:21:20
I agree that it’s a real shame about Gibbo. His vision & then weight of pass always impresses me. Right to keep him around. I think himself and Delboy would be a nice connection.
Brent Stephens
15 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:23:17
Past injuries are not necessarily a predictor of future injuries.
Geoffrey Risebrow
16 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:21:42
I love Gibbo but unless he can prove his fitness, he should be sold this summer or released at the end of his current deal.
Andy Mack
17 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:39:25
Saha style pay-as-you-go, or call it an unfortunate day for me. Great passer, but Sir Alex was right to offload him to us all those years ago. As good as anyone on his day, be wages or rewards need to go on players who can take us forward and play a big part rather than a bit part. No wonder McCarthy is unsettled.
Peter Bell
18 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:35:35
Brent @15

That's the best post of the day. We once signed the biggest two crocks in English football, called Reid & Gray, and within 18 months were the best team in Europe.

Gibson is not even anywhere near their age. The only midfield player we have on the books who can boss the midfield and pick a FORWARD pass.

If this lad could just maintain some form of fitness, it would be like a new signing...

Chris Owens
19 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:43:49
We can’t afford to pay first-team wages to players who hardly ever play. Would Gibson, Kone and Hibbert really be missed if we let them go?
Gavin Johnson
20 Posted 03/07/2015 at 20:57:10
I’d almost forgotten he was on the books. If this happens, it’s got to be on reduced wages or a 'pay as you play'.
Jimmy Byrne
21 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:12:27
Like most others, I think of what might've been. Class player but seems prone to one setback after another. Still young enough to have a good career... but for us? We badly need a creative mid. If we find one, I would keep him on reduced wages or 'pay per game'.
Bobby Thomas
22 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:13:18
Hopefully any deal would be a 2- or 3-year contract maximum, heavily incentivised depending on appearances.

Good player but we can't carry too many passengers.

Paul Hewitt
23 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:33:55
If he could stay fit, he would be in my team every time. But he isn’t so we should just let him go and use his wages on someone else.
Bjoern Haall
24 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:30:29
Give him a good contract. Build him up and look at it as an investment. He's not that old and has a really good footballing brain. If he will get a good build up, he will be a great resource for a good couple of years. And finally, I believe he will be a really good coach and even a future manager.
Colin Glassar
25 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:43:00
A really good player but, as others have said, 'pay as you play'. Like Saha, his body can’t stand the strain... which is a bloody shame.
David Barks
26 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:48:59
You all realize there is no such thing as a "pay as you play" contract, right? It doesn’t exist. Contracts can be built to include heavy incentives. Please, stop with this "pay as you play" crap.
Raymond Fox
27 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:55:21
Time to call it a day surely. Decent player when fit, but he’s never fit!
Jim Bennings
28 Posted 03/07/2015 at 21:56:13
Truly ridiculous really and another example that we are too happy to just stick with the same players that have been tried tested and failed for years now; we have won nothing with the likes of Gibson, Hibbert, Pienaar, Kone yet we want to extend contracts... My question would be WHY???

Are these guys going to get any better? Are they going to get any fitter?? Any younger?? No, no and no.

The trouble with Everton is we are too preoccupied with trying to recreate the past and hold onto players just through sentiment. How many other ambitious clubs would be dishing out new contracts to injury-prone players that only appear in 10 games???

We need to start acting like a big club and not a sentimental old boys reunion.

Mike Gaynes
29 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:02:54
David Barks, three cheers.
Darryl Ritchie
30 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:00:43
A good player but very brittle. When fit, he makes us better, but keeping in mind his injury record; proceed with caution.

If DG could stay healthy, he might be the #10 we’re looking for.

Phil Sammon
31 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:04:40
David Barks

’You all realize there is no such thing as a "pay as you play" contract, right? It doesn't exist. Contracts can be built to include heavy incentives. Please, stop with this pay as you play crap.’

David Barks AND bites it seems.

What people are referring to as ’pay as you play’ is putting Gibbo on a base salary of maybe £5-10k per week and then perhaps an appearance fee of £35k per game. That way we only really have to fork out when the player is fit and playing.

Gibson’s a very good player and a decent lad too. I’d hope he’s agree to such a deal. I think he actually owes it to us.

Kunal Desai
32 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:26:25
Jim Bennings – "We need to start acting like a big club and not a sentimental old boys reunion."

Until BK and his cohorts let go of the club, we will always be a sentimental old boys reunion club with a 'small club' mentality.

We cannot afford to pay top money for players that will make a difference to us, players who do not see us an attractive proposition, therefore we are limited to offering injury prone or aging players contract extensions, or we get left with the dreggs which not many would touch.

Christy Ring
33 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:34:30
Is Martinez taking the piss? A fine player when fit. But with his injury record, who's going to be queuing up to buy him. Would giving James McCarthy the contract he deserves not be his No 1 priority?????
Oliver Molloy
35 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:57:15
Good player? – Yes.

Worth a contract?? – Yes (on our terms).

Will he sign a contract that is less than the £35 grand a week he is getting now??? No, I don’t think so.

Andy Meighan
36 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:59:01
Well Brian (#4) mentioned four players in the current squad who aren’t fit enough to lace his boots and the aforementioned four probably drive their cars in reverse.

I for one am delighted Gibbo has been offered this because I believe he can still do a job and believe there must be a time when he can string a run of games together.

As for Jim Bennings's statement that it's tragic... well, sorry, I can’t agree with that. For me, he's the best midfielder on our books.

John Raftery
37 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:53:46
The contract offer must surely be one with a low basic rate and a high element of performance related pay. Gibbo has been unlucky with some of his injuries but, once players become injury-prone, generally they remain injury-prone. Although he is still comparatively young, physically he looks like an old stager. If we keep him, one of the conditions must certainly be that he retires from international football.
Mike Corcoran
38 Posted 03/07/2015 at 23:11:54
Here we go again, bogged down in finances. Darron is ace, keep him round, he might just ride again.
Colin Williams
39 Posted 03/07/2015 at 22:54:25
Weakest of all our midfield players... even when he was available for selection. His days should be long gone with a team competing for European places. Can’t believe this guy will be given a improved contract!! For what reason?? (Waste of money... again!)

Martinez... Sort your head out! Stop making such ludicrous decisions about certain players. Get rid, and bring through the young lads into the squad.

Steven Jones
40 Posted 03/07/2015 at 23:33:19
This is protection of an asset – not making a decision for this season.

The assessment from the medial team and RM’s own eyes will say that he looked very good when he came back, even though not up to full sharpness and fitness.

The broken foot was nothing to do with the previous knee ligament injury – so not an 'injury-prone' issue.

Hence the move says that we expect him to be back with a good pre-season and when he has lost a few more pounds and gets really fit then he will be the best CM we have.

Good move from RM!

Andy Crooks
41 Posted 04/07/2015 at 00:07:46
Spot on, Mike #38. I accept that we aren’t going to get 30 games from Darron but, if we get a new Number 10 we are going to have someone who just might compete with him for a start. Also, nobody will buy him on the basis of him being fit, so I think it is another chance we must take.

If we get lucky and, more importantly, he does, we have a decent player. His last injury was bad luck.

Ciaran Duff
45 Posted 04/07/2015 at 02:43:55
His sell-on value currently would be low you’d imagine. To buy a similar player would be expensive. So it makes sense to extend his contract and hope that he has an injury-free run. As long as the extension is not too long then it sounds like a low-risk strategy to me.

BTW, Everton can play hard ball when they want. Cast your minds back to the alleged "cancer clause" in Alan Stubbs's contract.

Peter Barry
46 Posted 04/07/2015 at 03:16:48
Why? He’s an almost permanent ’sicknote’ and while, when fit, he is twice as good as Gareth "I’ve got my contact so who cares?" Barry, he is almost never fit enough to play more than a game or two before being on the treatment couch again.
Duncan McDine
47 Posted 04/07/2015 at 06:27:08
Seems to me like Roberto has a ’thing’ for injury prone players... I can only see a "pay as you play" contract being remotely sensible. Love watching Gibbo when he plays, but it’s pretty clear that he’ll never play a full season.
Derek Thomas
48 Posted 04/07/2015 at 06:31:37
Nice bloke by all accounts but I hope these talks consist of... "You think you’re worth what? This is our offer, take it or leave it."

We’re turning into a home for sicknotes and has-beens.

John Voigt
49 Posted 04/07/2015 at 07:01:02
He’s a very good player. It’s unfortunate he’s not available more.

What we don’t know are the contract details.

From the Everton management perspective, there is no need to sign a long-term deal. Even if he’s healthy, big-money clubs won’t be calling because of all the past injuries.

Tying up young potential players (think John Stones) to a long-term deal is good business.

Like I said to start, this could be a good deal for Everton if the details are favorable.

Sean Kelly
50 Posted 04/07/2015 at 08:09:06
Why? He’s a decent player when fit but how often has he put 10 games in back to back. Offer him to Bournemouth and save the wages for McCarthy. Macca must be livid with all these contract extensions happening and no sign of his improved terms as promised by Martinez.
Pete Owen
51 Posted 04/07/2015 at 08:16:44
For what it’s worth, he’s a great player who has been unreasonably labelled "injury-prone" by "fans" not "medics". I fail to see how a broken bone, or a cruciate ligament tear can be labelled "injury-prone", I’ve had both these injuries (although both relatively minor) and nobody called me "sicknote"!
James Marshall
52 Posted 04/07/2015 at 08:42:15
Give him a new contract. Great passers are hard to come by and expensive these day and Gibbo passes the ball better than anyone at the club.

Injury-prone of course, but he’s worth keeping. His vision and ability is second to none at Everton.

Pete Edwards
54 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:11:05
Jim @28, can’t agree with you there... name me one player who is getting younger!!! Where are the contract extensions for Kone, Osman and Pienaar?

I know it's only been a year or so since Osman's last one but what are the club meant to do? – Get rid of him (and all the others we’ve won nothing with) at the end of his contract and spend money on replacements? – Money most say we don’t have.

He’s actually the one player, along with ironically Gibson, who makes the team tick going forward.

Joe Foster
55 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:28:35
Yep that confirms it. All our business is done now. We will just tie up some contracts to our existing players and that’s that.
Steve Brown
56 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:34:49
Joe @55 – I think there are a couple to come in. Creative midfielder, right back and left mid are all gaps.
Brian Porter
57 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:42:02
Oh dear, no! As much as I like Gibbo, the fact that he spends most of his time in the treatment room should preclude any hopes of a contract extension.

We need new blood – players who can contribute regularly to the first team squad, and sadly, he is no longer able to offer us that option. We are basically paying him to lie on the treatment table when the money spent on his wages would be better spent on a new fit and able first team player. I’m sorry, but this makes no sense at all to me.

Investing in youth? Not with actions like this, I’m afraid. As others have said already, the James McCarthy issue should be a priority, not handing out contracts to players who we will hardly see during the coming season. Get real, Roberto!

Ajay Gopal
58 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:08:35
The question I have is: Where are we going to fit in all these midfielders in the playing XI?

We will have five midfield slots in a 2-3 or 1-3-1 or 1-4 formations (assuming that the 4-4-2 is almost dead and Martinez will never use it as a starting formation). Out of five midfield slots, you will presumably have at least one out-and-out winger (Deulofeu, Mirallas, Pienaar, McGeady or Lennon) and one Number 10 or playmaker (Osman, Barkley or Kagawa).

So, that leaves you with at most three defensive/enforcer/deep-lying mid-fielders. And we have: Barry, Cleverly, Besic, McCarthy and Gibson (when fit) for that role. I just think we have too many midfielders at the club right now – two or three of them must be replaced by one high-quality playmaker (like Kagawa).

I think Everton’s future is with the likes of Besic, McCarthy, Barkley, Cleverly, Kagawa and we should slowly phase out players like Osman, Pienaar, Barry, Gibson. My preferred mid-field line-up would be (playing behind Lukaku):

Deulofeu Kagawa (or similar) Barkley
Cleverly McCarthy

with Besic, Osman, Pienaar, Barry, Gibson, Mirallas & McGeady as back-ups.

Chris Wilson
59 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:33:39
We have two recognized central defenders. I really don’t think we’re done yet. It’s only four days into the transfer window; some of you folks need to really, seriously, I say this as your friend, calm down.
Tony Draper
60 Posted 04/07/2015 at 09:53:00
On the plus side, Gibbo has plenty – and they are all mightily important factors:

Vision.
Skill.
Passing ability.
Directs other players.
Problem-free off-field.
Positive influence on all around him.
Age very much on his side (27 – not 28 until October)

On the minus side, Gibbo has a hefty counterweight:
Plagued by injury/injuries.

And all logic says that it's time for the arm around the shoulder and warm handshake and "Darron, thanks mate, we’re sorry it hasn’t worked out for you here, look after yourself. Bye mate".

Then I recall Peter Reid. He was transferred to Everton for a cut-price fee of £60,000 in 1982 following a succession of injuries.... I say, ask Reidy.

Dave Abrahams
61 Posted 04/07/2015 at 10:13:27
We most definitely need a few new players but, unless we sell one or two of our own I, unfortunately, don’t think we will do much business. We are still skint, we shouldn’t be, but we are, so where is the TV money going? I do not expect any clarification off the club any day soon.
Sam Hoare
62 Posted 04/07/2015 at 10:18:43
Gibson is possibly the only player we currently have capable of performing in the deep lying playmaker role. He possesses the intelligence and precision to start attacks quickly from deep.

Keep him on a "pay as a you play" contract surely.

Keith Harrison
63 Posted 04/07/2015 at 10:32:44
A reasonable minimum wage per week, then a ’Heavily Incentivised’ bonus for actually playing in a game. This should satisfy DB (poster 26), and the rest of us on here who think the guy is a talent, unfortunately only when his planets are in juxtaposition.
Paul Jeronovich
65 Posted 04/07/2015 at 12:08:00
As much as I like Gibbo, he is a passenger we can ill afford. Move him on and give McCarthy a new deal.
Harold Matthews
66 Posted 04/07/2015 at 11:29:21
Tony D (#60).

Like many others, you’ve omitted one of Gibbo’s finest plus points. He is one of the strongest headers of a football in the Premier League. Perfect old-fashioned neck-muscle technique. No surprise really. Like John Terry, Charlie Adam, Lampard, Carrick, the Yak and others, he’s real old-school. Properly coached in all the basics and able to make things look easy. You can sometimes see it with Osman and Pienaar and it’s a joy to watch.

These guys love playing football. As kids, they probably practiced longer than the average Joe. This is why my heart goes out to the likes of Pienaar, Oviedo, Kone and Gibbo. They want to be on that pitch, showing us what they can do when fully fit. You can read it between the lines whenever they make a statement.

Gibbo’s case, in particular, is a massive test of his mental resolve. I say this because his two main injuries over the last couple of years could have happened to anyone. The horrible twisted knee in Ireland and the broken foot were nothing to do with being physically faulty.

Also, and this is quite an important point, when faced with the task of finding a genuine, available, creative player with forward passing ability, I was left with the impression that they don’t exactly grow on trees. There are very few about.

Anyway, for these reasons – plus the fact that he is the one genuine leader at the club and youngsters will learn a lot from him – I would take the gamble and give him a bit longer.

Barry Jones
67 Posted 04/07/2015 at 13:40:54
Makes you wonder who initiated the action to extend or improve his contract. The club should have no reason to do this as the guy rarely plays and I don’t understand what leverage Gibson has to negotiate better terms for the same reason. Bizarre.
Tony Draper
68 Posted 04/07/2015 at 14:12:27
Harold @66

Yes, you are correct, I did omit that exceptional strength and furthermore the "proper schooling". Thanks for including theses plusses, because the do add further weight to the qualities which matter.

I also feel that I must agree with your recommendation that we retain him; and I had my own (unstated) reason why.

Should Gibbo finally shrug off his injury nightmares we will have exactly the player that we are lacking. In other words, we own the template now of the player that RM must be continually seeking.

On our books he can school a youngster into a future hero. Gibson isn’t an "Andy van der Shandy" style layabout.....

Richard Reeves
69 Posted 04/07/2015 at 15:10:29
When fully fit, probably the best passer we have and the most creative from that deeper central midfield position, with a good shot from distance, but playing a third of his time here because of injury. Being well stocked in that position is enough of a hint to let him go after his current contract runs out. I certainly wouldn’t be considering anything until the end of next season.
David Booth
70 Posted 04/07/2015 at 15:32:03
Just 44 injury-ridden league appearances for us in four seasons and only 174 in his 10 years as a professional footballer... almost universally liked, but surely time to be clinical and let him go?

Even if he proved himself fully-fit, he’s never going to get in front of Barry or McCarthy and now he’s got Besic AND Cleverley to compete with too for a centre midfield berth, not forgetting Osman, Pienaar and Barkley.

Like Distin and Alcaraz, he ought to be given the chance to rebuild his career elsewhere.

Sentimentality and fingers-crossed-he-doesn’t-get-injured-again hopes are not going to improve our team.

Andy Crooks
71 Posted 04/07/2015 at 17:00:14
David, fingers crossed is what we have to live with. Apart from Barkley, Gibson is better than any of the players you have named. When you suggest we let him go, do you mean pay up the remainder of his contract? Do you mean sell him to the clubs who are fighting to buy him?

He’s the nearest we’ve got to a creative midfielder and we simply have no choice but to stick by him. Some of the comments on here are just mad. Believe it our not, like it our not, footballers are protected by employment law. We cannot put them down like race horses.

Ray Said
72 Posted 04/07/2015 at 17:14:46
A decent player who has played this number of Premier League games since signing;

2011-12 — 11 appearances
2012-13 — 23 appearances
2013-14 — 01 appearance
2014-15 — 09 appearances
Four seasons — 44 Premier Leagues matches.

What is the point of considering a new contact?

Andy Crooks
73 Posted 04/07/2015 at 18:47:18
Harold (#66), another incisive and accurate post. I can only guess that you spend your retirement analysing football and making notes. However you do it, keep doing it.
Mike Childs
74 Posted 04/07/2015 at 19:15:59
Sure would be great if you had the time to write a technical article weekly for us newbies, Harold. I sure hope he stays. It’s obvious the board will never spend real money so take a shot on a guy we know has the talent and hope he endures no more bad luck.

Excellent suggestion, John Raferty (#37) – he must give up international football.

Dave Pritchard
75 Posted 04/07/2015 at 20:28:16
It is a real conundrum. I remember him in one of the Europa League home games last year and he created goals and chances with his vision and quick passing which made him stand out from our other midfielders. However the number of starts over the years casts a huge shadow. Why not let his last year run down until Christmas and then, if he has played a significant part in the season by then, start new contract negotiations.
Chris James
76 Posted 04/07/2015 at 20:11:44
Just to follow up on Ray’s point (72), in 3.5 seasons Gibson has played a total of 57 games, scored 2 goals and contributed 5 direct assists in all competitions (according to Transfermarkt).

In other words he’s averaging just over 16 appearances a year (in all competitions), 1-2 assists and maybe a goal.

(For Man Utd before us, he played 60 games, scored 10 goals and 8 assists in around the same length of time at the club. Granted there’s more competition for places at Man Utd so it might not all be down to injuries.)

According to Opta stats (via WhoScored), in the last season’s games he was 9th in average pass-per-game stats and 13th in average pass completion rates and 22nd in key pass completion rates. The only one metric he does excel at is through passes per game where he’s our top ranked player alongside Eto’o and ahead of Barkley, Osman, Atsu and Baines.

Obviously stats don’t tell the whole story and I agree he’s looked pretty good when he’s been in the team, but these figures compounded by his injury record which surely is unlikely to change now means for me that Gibson is more liability than asset. I certainly don’t wish him ill and if we had boundless cash I think he’d be useful to have around, as we don’t I think we need to focus on players that can play most weeks and make more of an impact.

Jim Jennings
77 Posted 04/07/2015 at 22:10:24
There’s no getting away from the fact that the lad is injury-prone. We didn’t get him for the price we did because Fergie and Moyes were mates. However, we don’t have another midfielder of his kind. Positionally aware, controls the game from deep and his first instinct when he gets the ball is to turn, look up and go forward.

We struggled last year to break down teams that "parked the bus" and these are the games Gibson can run from deep. Then away from home, his range of passing to turn defence into attack with Deulofeu, Lukaku and Barkley up ahead of him gives opposition defences something to think about. I doubt he’s on huge money, or likely to be; so, for me, it’s a no-brainer to extend his contract.

Clive Lewis
78 Posted 04/07/2015 at 22:38:56
Jim, I agree with your comments.
Clive Lewis
79 Posted 04/07/2015 at 22:44:02
Bennings not Jennings, Gibson should be sold.
James Flynn
80 Posted 05/07/2015 at 01:15:25
Worth the risk.

Another who can do what Gibson can is outside our price range.

Definitely worth the risk.

Colin Williams
81 Posted 05/07/2015 at 03:02:12
James... What can he do that’s so special?? Please give up your secret!- and if so special!.... Why the feck did’nt he play more when available for selection to show us what he can do!!!!
Mark Andersson
82 Posted 05/07/2015 at 04:43:29
Ifs maybe and buts. The lad makes a big difference and obviously Martines sees the gamble worth taking.

This is one fellow who does not have the luck of the Irish. Shame.

Jim Bennings
83 Posted 05/07/2015 at 08:23:02
James

It’s a disgrace then that this type of player "who can do what Gibson does" should be out of our price range.

We are being made a show of by the likes of Stoke and Leicester bidding for players we need.

Keeping a player who has barely kicked a ball in 4 season’s is totally pointless. We have won nothing with tried and tested players like Gibson, Osman, Hibbert, Howard etc but we, well Martinez seems to want to try and recreate Moyes squad.

Dave Abrahams
84 Posted 05/07/2015 at 09:23:03
I love to see Gibson when he gets the ball, he is excellent with his variety of passing and I think this impresses most of his admirers, unfortunately there is not a lot more to his game.

Due mainly to his injuries (I think) he is painfully slow and gives too many fouls away because he is late in the tackle. I think his whole career has been spoiled by his constant stop-start playing history; he can’t be blamed for this but unfortunately for him and Everton, he should be let go of.

Colin Glassar
85 Posted 05/07/2015 at 10:00:47
After reading most of the posts, I’ve come to the conclusion that giving him a 2-year extension is just plain silly. Why do we do this? The guy is injury prone and, with age, will not get any better. Examples abound with players like Owen, Hargreaves, Saha, Carroll etc....
Paul Burns
86 Posted 05/07/2015 at 10:56:50
Someone said he’s younger than two old crocks we once signed, Reid and Gray.

I think they’re wrong, Peter Reid was defo younger than Gibson is now and Gray may have been too. Anyone verify?

Jim Bennings
87 Posted 05/07/2015 at 12:54:06
Colin,

It’s what we do at Everton and have done for years.

We are a club now that doesn’t think with ambition and every time we do have a good season it’s always because we have "punched above our weight" and worked miracles with little or no finances, I for one though want to know why we are forever financially held back when the Premier League is swimming in riches.

It's always a patch up job with yesterday’s leftovers.

James Flynn
88 Posted 05/07/2015 at 13:44:54
Jim Benning - No argument from me on finance. Not just that the league is awash in cash, but that it’s going to go up again in a couple of years.

Combine that with the fact that two of the primary owners are rich men to begin with, it sucks supporting a Club with money all around, but so little spent.

Given that’s our form, I say take the risk on Gibson and keep fingers crossed. What else is there to do?

Jim Bennings
89 Posted 05/07/2015 at 14:38:11
James,

I do see what you mean, what else can we do as supporters exactly!

We know, or should we say we are told by the club, that finances are under control but the lack of overall investment in players suggests we have little cash available to spend.

Its a sad time when we can’t go out there and bring in a midfielder who can make things happen creatively and someone that will make the big difference between a top 7 finish or a 12th or 13th finish.

Paul Smith
90 Posted 05/07/2015 at 14:45:02
Sorry, the overwhelming evidence is that he just doesn’t stay fit. Look to his time at Man Utd for extra corroboration of this fact.

Get rid.

James Stewart
92 Posted 05/07/2015 at 14:49:00
It shows how desperate and ill-equipped we are that we rely on this guy for creativity. I’ve said it before but our midfield is pathetic at creating chances. McCarthy and Barry are okay defensively but, in terms of creativity, neither are up to it.
Ray Said
93 Posted 05/07/2015 at 15:15:06
If we have been paying him £20k per week, which is a reasonable assumption, then his 44 PL appearances have cost £94.5k per match.

Let the contract expire.

Darren Hind
94 Posted 05/07/2015 at 15:04:32
Why do people constantly harp back to Peter Reid every time there is an article about signing a crock?

Reid is not the rule, he’s a very rare exception. The fact that you need to go back 35 years for this exception should tell you all you need to know.

For every Peter Reid, there is 50 Paul Bracewell’s. Given the demands placed upon the body of the modern player, the chances of a player with Gibson's record suddenly becoming injury free, are slim to non-existent.

Fergie saw the writing on the wall and cut him adrift; seems Roberto hasn't even seen the wall yet...

Trevor Peers
95 Posted 05/07/2015 at 15:31:35
The clock is ticking towards the start of the new season. Roberto promised us a new No 10 but I question his desire to actually play with a creative midfielder in the team. His preferred tactics of 2 or 3 defensive midfielders seems more likely to be employed just like last season.

There’s still some time left so I just hope I’m wrong. Time will tell.

Colin Glassar
96 Posted 05/07/2015 at 16:27:10
Wait until after July 17-18th Trevor. Jim, so where’s all this TV money going then? Anyone have a clue?
Andy Crooks
97 Posted 05/07/2015 at 17:36:34
Darren, Fergie cut him adrift because he had better players and the resources to buy even better players. We don’t.
Paul Tran
98 Posted 05/07/2015 at 17:33:04
I’m taking note of the words ’contract talks’. I’m hoping that means that if we find a midfielder who can pass the ball forwards and pick out our forwards’ runs, the nature of the talks will change.

If it was up to me, I’d let his contract run down. If we’re relying on Gibson with any significance, that reflects very badly on the manager, the squad and the ambition of those running the club.

Andrew Clare
100 Posted 05/07/2015 at 18:25:05
I agree with most of the comments above. Very good player with a terrible record of injuries. Should not be offered a new contract extension.

We have others who clearly aren’t fit enough or good enough, like Mcgeady and Kone. They must be costing the club lots of money and should be discarded. We need a squad of fully fit top class players in order to compete for Europe.

Howard is another who just isn’t up to the right standard that should be released. I am still perplexed as to why it is apparent to all and sundry that these players need to be moved on apart from the manager unless it all happens this summer and they go.

Paul Tran
101 Posted 05/07/2015 at 18:45:41
You can’t release players under contract, Andrew. You let their contracts run down or you find another club to buy/take them. Too many of our players have little or no resale value, hence the constant speculation regarding Coleman, McCarthy, Lukaku, etc.

Last year, Martinez said he was looking for seven players, which suggested he knew what most of us know. Either he blew the lot on Lukaku, or he had his budgetary wings clipped.

I’d love us to get rid and replace the deadwood; the way our club is run, coupled with Martinez’s caution, tells me that this will be a slow, piecemeal process.

Tom Bowers
102 Posted 05/07/2015 at 18:50:01
Most of us agree about our ’’always injured’’ players, who really are no use to the progress of the team. When they are out for games on end, then come back... only to get another injury after a few games, means continual disruption to getting a consistent formation. Whilst appreciating some of these players like Gibbo have great talent, the team no longer gets any benefit.

Out of loyalty, I suspect the club will offer some kind of contract knowing nobody will pay good money for ’’crocks’’ and so maybe it is better to keep them on the periphery. However, some may want to leave especially as one or two new faces have arrived.

Joe Foster
103 Posted 05/07/2015 at 19:19:14
I don't expect any major major signings now. I believe our business is done and we are going through the tidying up of the old lads and getting the youth tied up.
Denis Richardson
104 Posted 05/07/2015 at 19:19:39
He certainly has ability but what’s the point. He’s just never fit!

Averaging barely 10 games a season over 4 years!

100% pay as you play but again, what’s the point? Can’t really plan with someone like this.

Clive Rogers
105 Posted 05/07/2015 at 19:23:36
Joe #103,

Hope not. We could be in trouble with the current squad – not enough creativity and goalscorers. If Lukaku doesn’t deliver or gets injured, we’ve had it, and he hardly scored after November. Also, we are carrying too many crocks and geriatrics who will hardly play.

Clive Rogers
106 Posted 05/07/2015 at 19:36:56
Paul (#86),

Reid was 26 when he signed in 1982, while Gray was 27 (28 in the November) when he signed in 1983.

David Flanagan
107 Posted 05/07/2015 at 19:44:40
If our transfer business is done then we are in for another bottom-half finish. We have no creativity or goals in the side and an aging squad. We have too many CMs who all do the same job and no cover or depth anywhere else.
Joe Foster
108 Posted 05/07/2015 at 20:32:16
Clive, I hope not as well.
Paul Andrews
109 Posted 05/07/2015 at 20:33:45
A good player. The most positive passer in our squad. Just not fit and probably never will be to play a consecutive run of games.

You can’t buy a player with his ability for the pittance we paid without there being something in the background. With Gibson, it as obviously that he would break down.

Paul Kelly
110 Posted 05/07/2015 at 20:29:15
Well put, Darren (#94).

I had this argument with friends and on here a few seasons back when the lad had played less (I think) than 50% of games (suggested he should be moved on) and his appearance record ain’t got any better since. It’s a shame, but no room for sentimentality.

Chris James
112 Posted 05/07/2015 at 21:44:31
Um Joe, so what leads you to believe that?

Here’s why I believe the contrary:

1. Martinez has publicly said we need a central defender and a creative midfielder and we’ve been linked with tons of those plus a number of strikers too.

2. It’s the 5th July, we’re only just really into the summer window that will be open for another 8 weeks, so there’s a LOT of time left to go.

3. Martinez has made late moves in every transfer window so far and although they have been largely loans they have been theoretically significant signings (Lukaku, Barry, Alcaraz, McGeady)

4. We all know there is definitely money there to spend on the back of the TV deal, maybe not the sort we’ve spent in previous windows, but surely more than has been spent on Cleverley, Deulofeu and Henen and a couple of new contracts.

Obviously we should be sorting out issues with older players and tying up some new prospects too, but I’d personally expect two more signings plus a last-minute loan or two.

Joe Foster
113 Posted 05/07/2015 at 23:02:01
I hope you're right, Chris, but I would not hold your breath on it.
Joe Foster
114 Posted 05/07/2015 at 23:16:05
I just say it like I see it. All the main deals are done and now we are doing mop-up duties.
John Daley
115 Posted 05/07/2015 at 23:22:20
How is the local crap cradler claiming that the club are considering offering a current player a new contract, confirmation that they’re not going to be making any further additions to the squad?

Charles Cook
116 Posted 05/07/2015 at 23:28:38
Saying it as we see it is all any of us can do, Joe, and in that vein, I’ll add that I’m very confident that you’re wrong.

You’ve stuck your neck out on this. You’ll become the new Glasstradamus of ToffeeWeb, or alternatively, the whipping boy for those of us tired of the cynics. Time will tell.

Joe Foster
117 Posted 06/07/2015 at 01:06:54
Steady on, John. I have been called many things but "the local crap craddler" is a new one (unless you meant the Echo?).

Look, giving the young ones their new contacts and (if believed) Gibson his extension is all business that could wait. They where not going anywhere, it all feels like filler. It's more believable than getting your hopes up with some of the rumoured players coming in.

Ash Coakley
118 Posted 06/07/2015 at 05:26:28
Whether it is accidental or intentional, this news is perfectly timed.

If the intention is to give Gibson more opportunity to get fit, it ties him down; no-one on here seems to doubt his ability, just his fitness. If he improves this and has good gametime this season, he would be able to command a greater wage or walk away to a better offer, leaving many a fan infuriated at our handling of the situation (see Garbutt’s near miss). If we tie him down now, we can likely offer him a lower package.

If he doesn’t cut it, we can sell him next year for a fee rather than loosing a player for nothing again.

Both of these suggest he IS offered the contract and signs; the alternate is that if we are preparing to sell him. This news highlights he is still rated but with a dwindling contract, may be available at the right price, thus enticing potential suitors to approach us now, before he ’signs’. Either way, the ’chatter’ is positive... now, how about McCarthy, eh Bobby?

Jim Lloyd
119 Posted 06/07/2015 at 06:07:51
It seems to me that getting Gerry Deleufeu signed up NOW is a great bit of news for us. Yep, he’s going to be a gamble, as is Ross, but the potential benefits to Everton are enormous. The same goes for David Henen, a lad with tremendous talent. I think it was good business to bring in Tom Cleverley as well. A young player, lots of first team experience, without costing a bucket load of cash.

To get these young, hungry players in so early is good news, as I think it will also send signals to other young, talented players that EFC is worth considering. I think it would be daft to leave what has already been achieved, to sometime in the future. It has sent a signal to all our young players, and others, that we are intent on bringing the age of our squad down.

We can only do this, though, within the financial limits imposed by this bad joke of a board. Roberto Martinez is now cleared the decks to try and bring in the schemer, playmaker he wants, as I hope most of us do.

Giving Darron Gibson an extension on his contract is, in my view, good news for us; because, if we so manage to get a top class playmaker, he’s going to cost most/all of our transfer pot. (If we’ve got one!) We can’t spend £26 million on a player like the other lot have just done, plus massive wages, as we still need a centre-half and possibly a winger.

To have someone with Darron Gibson’s skill and vision available as back-up to the playmaker, is more good news for us. Should that playmaker get injured, where would we get a replacement from?

Hopefully, Darron has now recovered from that awful injury he received and he’s probably the most intelligent midfielder we have. It would be daft to not keep him with us. Yes. it’s a gamble but we’re not in a position to just go out and buy top class talent as and when we want.

Geri is still learning his trade, skill though he’s got. The same with Ross. I looked at the YouTube post on David Henen and he’s another with bucket loads of skill but in my view he is not ready for the first team. In fact, he’s just like Ross and Gerry. Bags of talent, excellent athlete... but still plays like he’s in the schoolyard, beating players for fun but not yet got the awareness to bring other players into play as often as his skill allows him to do.

I’m glad we’ve got Geri and, to me, that’s much better than spending £8M on Lennon.

So far, so good. Roberto said he wanted to do some business rapidly, and he’s done so. We’ve got another month and a half to get the other players he wants.

I don’t think listening to rumours is the best way of getting through the summer without having a nervous breakdown. If we get the playmaker he wants and maybe the centre-half, then Roberto will have achieved a lot in this window.

I’m willing to wait and see.

Andy Codling
121 Posted 06/07/2015 at 07:52:30
Ridiculous decision, good player but getting half a dozen games out of someone is just not good enough. Also, he will insist on playing meaningless internationals. A player in his position should really look at playing club football only.
Ross Edwards
122 Posted 06/07/2015 at 08:02:25
It’s all well and good signing players with ’potential’ who could be good like Henen who’ll never start. We need to sign players who can make an impact now.

So far would I say this has been a good window? No, but there’s a long way to go. I don’t count Deulofeu as a new signing because he was here last year.

We’ve only added 2 ’new’ signings to the squad that finished 5th in 13/14, Cleverley and Besic. We still have poor squad depth.

Forget signing 4 players and that’s it, we need 7 or 8. The transfer windows coming up over the coming months are going to be crucial.

Victor Yu
123 Posted 06/07/2015 at 09:25:49
I don’t have a problem with a pay as you play deal for him.
Ray Roche
124 Posted 06/07/2015 at 09:31:29
Any contract with Gibson must contain a clause which states that he should forfeit any wages for any time lost due to injuries received on International duty. That might focus his mind on who actually pays for his comfortable lifestyle. (I actually think that this should apply to ALL players contracts... we’d see then how many players really want to represent their countries in worthless friendlies)

Incidentally, I read an article by Giggs last week regarding the importance of players representing their country... and this, from a player who was always injured when Wales needed him for friendlies. Probably too busy shagging his brother's wife,,,

Tony J Williams
125 Posted 06/07/2015 at 12:29:28
Great player when fit and his last injury had nothing to do with his body breaking down. It was a broken bone in his foot, which so many players get.

Can’t imagine the contract being too big and who says that it isn’t a basic salary and pay-as-you-play sort of contract?

I know we think the worst of Everton all the time, but I imagine the penny-pinching knobs in charge would not just offer him a great contract out of sentimentality.

John Daley
126 Posted 06/07/2015 at 14:07:01
Joe, no suggestion of yourself being a ’Mr Hankie’ handler. I was indeed referring to the Echo. So, worry not, your reputation remains intact.

Just to make it clear to those who think there’s no smoke without fire though: It is a statement of fact that Mr Foster does NOT have a faeces fetish (as far as I’m aware).

Stevie Smith
128 Posted 06/07/2015 at 20:36:08
He had great potential as a youngster and still is a fair player on his day but hes just too injury prone. His body is knackered. Offload.

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