Mirallas would consider January departure

, 10 November, 77comments  |  Jump to most recent
Belgian wants to be playing more regularly

Kevin Mirallas admits that may have to consider his options in the next transfer window if his situation at Everton hasn't changed by then.

The 28-year-old says he isn't looking to leave the Blues yet but wants more playing time than he is currently getting.

Mirallas has made just one Premier League start to his name so far this season, thanks to some reported injury niggles, poor form, a three-match suspension and competition for places from the likes of Gerard Deulofeu, Arouna Kone and Steven Naismith.

He started the Capital One Cup fourth round tie against Norwich last month and has been getting more minutes off the bench in recent matches but even though he wasn't admitting it directly, the former Olympiakos forward knows that he needs to be involved more for Everton if he is to win his place back in the Belgium national team ahead of Euro2016.

“I don’t think in terms of my place in the national team," Mirallas is quoted as saying in the Liverpool Echo. “But in January, if my situation has not changed, I will ask questions and perhaps consider a departure.

“I want to first of all be playing at my club. I’m not asking for a transfer. I still have the prospect of staying at Everton.

Mirallas looked a good bet to leave Goodison Park over the summer following comments he made in the Belgian press early in the year about his desire for Champions League football. At the time, that was still an outside possibility with Everton via the Europa League but the Blues' defeat to Dynamo Kiev ended those hopes.

Nothing came of reported interest from Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur and Mirallas ended up signing a new three-year contract with Everton in August. That seemed to put the issue of his future to bed but, having lost his regular first-team berth, he might be forced to rethink matters.

“Game time comes gradually. I am a team player and I want to prove it. If I have the opportunity to play, that’s all good.

“Given the situation in my club, it would do me good to have minutes with the national team. I know Roberto Martinez is aware of my work and he’s shown this with a slight increase in my playing time.”

 

Reader Comments (77)

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William Colman
1 Posted 10/11/2015 at 16:46:33
Like Yarmolenko, he signed a new contract so the clubs can get a decent fee for him.
Denis Richardson
2 Posted 10/11/2015 at 16:52:07
Well Martinez may not want to sell him but I can see KM asking to leave if he’s not starting many games between now and January. Can’t say I’d blame him given he signed the new contract presumably thinking his regular place would not be on the bench.

When Cleverley comes back, there will be even more competition in the midfield. Personally I believe we currently have too many, 12 at the last count, not including Naismith and Kone who play more as AMs, nor any academy or reserve players.

Martinez seems to love collecting midfielders as he’s signed 7 of the 12 we have. I’d guess that the likes of Pienaar, Osman and Gibson are in their last season at GP which would bring the number down to a more manageable amount.

Steavey Buckley
3 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:16:36
Has not really impressed all season even when available for selection; while not doing his cause much good by getting sent off for a silly foul against someone from Swansea. That prevented him from playing for 3 matches.
Harold Matthews
4 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:19:58
Tough call for Mirallas. He was recently left out the Belgium squad because he wasn’t playing regular top class competitive football and he needs games.

Unfortunately, if he moves he’ll probably have to take a big wage cut and I can’t see it happening. He’s a good player but it’s not going well for him right now.

Eugene Kearney
5 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:23:01
Hardly surprising as he isn't getting a start.

We should start him and Geri both.......

Ian McDowell
6 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:23:15
A top player on his day but he needs to be more consistent. There is definitely a space on the left wing as an inside forward type of player.

Currently we have Kone, Naismith, Pienaar, Mirallas and McGeady even Cleverley who can all play there. Someone needs to grab that position in the team like Deulofeu seems to have grabbed the right hand side.

Tony J Williams
7 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:27:25
Ah well, see you in the Championship then.....or with Newcastle.

Mostly his own fault in my view but some blame does go to Martinez too.

This year's Distin?

Tony Cheek
8 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:29:56
It would not surprise me if Naismith is also in the same boat. He was close to leaving last window and has said that he is not really interested in sitting out games on the bench.
Brian Harrison
9 Posted 10/11/2015 at 17:31:14
I think at 28 and still a current international he needs to play. Other than having a sadistic streak, I don’t know why RM offered him a new contract and I am sure Mirallas only signed it as he was promised game time.

No doubt Mirallas must think he has played both Cleverley and Besic wide left ahead of him, that surely has told him were he is in the pecking order when all are fit.

Joe O'Brien
10 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:08:03
Like many have said above, he’s a good player when he decides to put the effort in but I’d cash in imo. I don’t think he’s a great player in the dressing room, with the recent sending off and that messing that went on with Baines with that penalty issue.

I’d swop him for Moses right now, think he plays on the left yeah? Pienaar doesn’t look like he’ll be able to grab that wing back so that needs filling.

Dan Parker
11 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:21:27
He had 20 minutes to show his stuff at the weekend and didn't do anything to justify a starting place.
Terry Downes
12 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:22:03
Come January we should sell both Mirallas and Naismith (if Norwich are still interested) and bring in a quality passer – someone like Huddlestone?

Also offload McGeady if possible!
Peter Gorman
13 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:22:10
Oh well Dan, a whole 20 minutes. May as well cash in now.
Mike Gaynes
14 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:24:21
When you're a former starter as gifted as Mirallas but you've now been beaten out for playing time by Naismith, Kone, Lennon, Cleverley and Deulofeu (and even Besic in one game!), there's a problem. Mirallas still doesn't seem to think the problem is him.

Not a word in any of his quotes about how or where he needs to improve his game

He should take a lesson from his younger teammates -- Geri, Galloway and Browning -- in grabbing an opportunity with both hands when it comes your way. And performing with it.

I hope he gets his chance, gets it right and stays.

Colin Glassar
15 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:30:36
He’s never fulfilled his potential imo. He’s a good player, on his day, but I think he thinks he’s better than he really is. I can see him going in January (hopefully with mcgreedy) so we can get someone like Redmond, Moses or Routledge in... ie, younger and more talented.
Peter Gorman
16 Posted 10/11/2015 at 18:38:45
Colin, as much as I like Redmond, can't see Martinez going for him when he has Deulofeu, Lennon, Kone, Cleverley, Besic, Barkley, Hibbert and Robles who can all play on the wing.
Peter Cummings
18 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:06:21
Tony (#7),

I think on his day he can be as good as anyone in the Premier League and once he gets regular playing time he can be an asset, Unfortunately I can’t see it being with us, I very much doubt he’ll end up in the Championship as he still has a lot going for him.

As for your comment about Distin, I watched the game Bournemouth v Newcastle and he was the best defender on the pitch in a travesty of a result in a totally-one sided game which saw the Geordies steal the points.

Frank Crewe
19 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:11:25
I don’t remember other clubs beating a path to his door in the summer so what makes him think they’ll be after him now?

He’s 28 ears old. Maybe got 3 or 4 good years left in him before he hits the slippery slope. If he got his head down and showed what he can do on a consistent basis he could be spending them at Everton.

Oh well. If we can get a good price for him he can go and warm someone else’s bench.

Jim Bennings
20 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:11:53
Out of all the wingers we have have only Deulofeu has really shone this season in patches.

Lennon just hasn’t got started at the minute, Mirallas's season hasn’t got got going, and Pienaar has got nothing left of his Everton career in my opinion.

I’d still imagine Lennon will become a regular and knuckle down as the season progresses especially if Mirallas does end up leaving.

I’d be tempted to give Lennon right wing, Mirallas left wing and try out Deulofeu in Barkley’s position against Villa.

Maybe Barkley needs a game or two on the bench and throw him on as an impact player if needed, considering Deulofeu has played through two beautiful laser-guided passes from the middle of the pitch, I think I’d like to see something tried out with him occupying that area, especially against what is bound to be a rigidly organized Villa side under Remi Garde.

Let’s be honest, Barkley has hardly pulled up many tree’s recently anyway...

Michael Penley
21 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:16:00
I don't think he is much of a 'team player'. When he gets the ball you don't get the feeling that he will combine well with anyone, or make any great assists. That's what we need, and what Kone and Deulofeu have given us recently.

Still, it would be refreshing to see us having a shot on goal for once rather than trying to walk it into the back of the net. He's a very direct kind of player and an excellent one and that's probably why Roberto wants to keep him.

But I do think he needs more than 20 minutes off the bench to show his talent.

Les Martin
22 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:28:32
We should play with two wingers, hopefully Mirallas as one of them as on his day he can be brilliant.

I don't blame him at all for wanting a move, if he is putting it all in at training then not getting a game, it's like a band rehearsing for a gig that gets continually cancelled.

He was sold Everton by Moyes and came to play football, a career that can be short.If Martinez like him then play him, if not then let he go while he is still valuable and reinvest the money elsewhere.
Raymond Fox
23 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:47:16
He doesn’t strike me as a team player; Martinez would play him more if he was. Get him sold if there’s a decent offer for him.

On his day he’s an impact player, but I think the negatives outweigh the positives. I can see where he’s coming from as regards playing time, but we can't run the team to suit individuals!

Dave Hall
24 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:49:22
Seems likely to start in place of Kone on the 21st. There’s lots of games between now and Jan 31; he’ll get his chance.
Minik Hansen
25 Posted 10/11/2015 at 19:54:44
Current situation written in the news, that is all, don’t make it more than it actually is. If he finds his form, we will all be happy and that’s what is all about, gradually more game time for him after his unfortunate start to the season.

We can only wait and see how it pans out. For now, support our players, lift the spirit up and keep it there. COYB.

Phil Sammon
26 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:03:14
He could do a damn sight better than Barkley in that Number 10 role right now.

He has an attitude and I don’t particularly care for the lad, but he’s a good player and he’s currently being wasted.

Sam Hoare
27 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:05:39
I think we have quite a few fringe players now who could be replaced by talented youngsters and perhaps the fees/spare wages might go on players to really elevate the first XI.

For example, sell Naismith, Mirallas, McGeady and Gibson. Replace them with the likes of Henen, Ledson, Donohue or whoever shines from the Academy and then go and buy Yarmolenko and Timo Horn.

Gary Constable
28 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:07:31
Kevin will have a chance to prove himself between now and January. Ultimately it will be Roberto’s decision on his future, even if he wants out, with him having signed a new contract.

On top of that, this has come from the Belgian press who seem to like to stir things up as far as our players are concerned.

Trevor Lynes
29 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:08:46
How can any fan call him not a team player. He has been our best goal scorer apart from Lukaku. What does anyone make of the rest of our midfielders who never score?

Any player who puts the ball in the net consistently is worth a starting place or at least a first call as a sub. The two players who get castigated on here are Mirallas and Naismith. They were our 2nd and 3rd top scorers last season with Jags 4th. Barkley is getting a regular start and hardly ever scores or even assists.

The starting front four should be a permutation out of Deulofeu, Kone, Lukaku, Mirallas and Barkley. If Mirallas plays then most defences will be far more wary of him than Lennon or Cleverley. Mirallas is a goal threat and teams will be really worried about dealing with BOTH our Belgians rather than the toothless bunch of others we have.

Tony Abrahams
30 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:10:51
The fact that Mirallas mentions being a team player, is very telling of his present situation to me. I would personally bring him in for Barkley, and let him rotate with Deulofeu, between playing wide, or in the hole, for a few games.

Agree with you about Barkley, needing a break Jim, and I would love to see our little Spaniard play in Ross’s present position and do well. This might be the best way to push Barkley forward, who knows?

He has a manager who praises him to the heavens, he’s a scouse kid playing for Everton, and yet sometimes the desire just doesn’t seem there. Perhaps another youngster stealing his thunder, might be the key to Barkley, waking up, and going on to fulfill his undoubted potential. Let the players start to bring each other on.

Paul Jeronovich
31 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:11:06
Ever notice that this bollocks always surfaces on the international breaks?? BORING!!!
Matt Muzi
32 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:21:16
I can see where he's coming from, but he's hardly helped his cause this season.

He's been well off the level we've seen from him in the past in my opinion. If we can get a left winger in who will improve the team in January then let him go, but who will want him?

However what I would like to see the club doing in January is getting rid of McGeady, Pienaar, Hibbert, Howard, Osman & although I really like his attitude Naismith.

Si Turner
33 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:43:17
Sell him!!!!

Whereas in the past he was one of our best players and I wouldn't want us to sell, I now believe he is not good enough to get in our first 11.

Kev has always had a touch of class but I am sick of the threats by him thinking he is better than us somehow.

Eddie Dunn
34 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:44:53
Jim (#19),

I agree on Geri playing in place of Ross. Geri seems to have vision, which is great to see, as we all know that he possesses great skill and speed.

If only Ross could see the bigger picture... it is so frustrating watching him try to get a shot away as he side-steps along the edge of the box until he runs out of room, or his greedy runs where he spurns several opportunities to pass before laying off a nothing ball to someone beside him.

He has all of the tools but he doesn’t know what he wants to make, or, he doesn’t know when it is time to use the plane or the hammer!

Perhaps a rest will do him good.

Jon Withey
35 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:45:55
Buy Huddlestone? Hibbert and Robles on the wing?

Strange thread.

John Malone
36 Posted 10/11/2015 at 20:55:19
This could be great for us; this is exactly what the manager wants: competition for places. Mirallas is quality when he’s up for it and with his place up for threat, I have no doubt he would come in and work his bollocks off and provide some vital goals and assists in order to keep his place.

He’s worth a start for his free kicks alone! There’s been a few already this season which I have thought Mirallas would have buried only to watch Barkley or Lukaku put them nowhere!

I’d give him a start in a 4-3-3 against Villa or if he wants to stick with Kone in a 4-1-4-1 I’d definitely give him at least half an hour to show his intentions!

Ian Riley
37 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:03:17
In all workplaces across the country, there will be someone who believes they are more deserving because they are more talented. Sadly for those individuals have one factor that gets in the way, themselves. During the past 12 months this has become the Kevin soap opera with a repeat during the international break.

How good does Kevin think he is? Worth? I can’t remember top clubs playing Champions League bidding in the summer. I rate Kevin as a player but as a impact player, last thirty minutes of a game. Sadly we can’t carry him for the full 90.

My advice to Kevin would be to work harder and when you come on try and make an impact. Stop going to the press and moaning. Sadly you earn what 99% on this forum dream about.

Some people earn peanuts and loathe their jobs but are stuck. In January... still not playing? Put a transfer request in. It’s up to you, Kev!

Colin Glassar
38 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:11:10
Jon, Hibbo on the wing is indeed a frightening prospect but Hibbo in goal, with fishing tackle in one hand and a dead carp in the other, is mouthwatering.
Jimmy-Ã…ge Sørheim
39 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:13:02
I think people have very short memories, Mirallas has been our number 2 top scorer who we desperately need to get back in the team to start scoring again if we are going to have any chance of a top 6 finish.

I think it is crazy to sell Mirallas unless we have replaced him with someone better, which we have not!!!

By the way, Mirallas is 10 times better and moves around a lot more than Barkley, plus he scores more goals than him each and every season.

Time for Martinez to play him on the left, where he had his breakthrough for his former club if I remember right.

Jamie Barlow
40 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:21:36
I'd rather play Robles and Hibbo on the wing than buy Huddlestone.

Mirallas is a top player. He just needs games which is going to be a little hard to come by. Just needs to take his chance when he gets it and keep up his work rate.

Ben Jones
41 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:30:27
On talent he’s in the top 5 of the squad.

But his effort is lacking big time, he’s a luxury player.

In my eyes we can only play one or two luxury players in the first team. Especially with the standard of full backs in the Premier League at the moment, always bombing forward.

Basically, who’s better, Deulofeu or Mirallas? Currently Deulofeu by a mile actually.

But Deulofeu will play badly; all talented young wingers are quite inconsistent... I think as a previous poster says, Mirallas will have plenty of chances.

Armando Canaj
42 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:30:43
Joe (#12), You’d swap Kevin for Mosses... Really. That man’s had more clubs than boots... No chance.

Kevin is class. He’s tackled foolishly purely due to the frustration of lack of games and an attempt to prove his worth / passion to play.

I’m sure we all know what it’s like to be left out and be in a strop. He just has to focus in games when he does get a chance and make every touch count. That’s the mark if a quality player. If he’s got it it will show.

I for one hope he finds his mojo and stays forever... and ever.

COYB

Andy Crooks
43 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:38:09
Dan (#11), suggesting that he came off the bench for 20 minutes and showed nothing is meaningless. Any player needs a run in the side and if Mirallas is to be judged it should not be on ludicrous cameos where he risks injury or a red card.

He is a quality player who, I believe, given the faith that the coach shows in others, could make a huge impact on our season.

He, unfortunately, is competing for the luxury player place that Ross has. I think he deserves a chance.

Tony Steele
44 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:45:46
Sounding like a broken record this one.
Nick Armitage
45 Posted 10/11/2015 at 21:52:09
His new contract means he’ll be due a good signing-on fee, but there aren’t many Premier League clubs who would take a punt on him to give him the games he needs. He’s in limbo so needs to get his finger out and start grafting.
Trevor Peers
46 Posted 10/11/2015 at 22:01:28
Kev has never hit the heights playing for Roberto, for whatever reason, he was a Moyes buy, who probably got the best out of him.

No point in holding on to an unhappy player who's never going to get a regular place; besides we urgently need a natural left winger or striker. Time to move him on while he has some financial value.

Raymond Fox
47 Posted 10/11/2015 at 22:04:44
What the manager sees and we don’t is players attitude off the field! Seems to me it might not be Kev’s strong point.

RM doesn’t appear to be that keen on Besic also, maybe for the same reason.

Barkley... for all he seems a nice kid, I don’t think brains is his biggest attribute.

Only my opinion so I might be wrong on all three counts!

Armando Canaj
48 Posted 10/11/2015 at 22:55:29
Jammy (#38), Spot on. Give him some decent game time and he’ll cause havoc to Villa.

ps: Anyone notice Rom’s celebrations against Sunderland? He and the team ran over to Kevin whilst he was warming up. They obviously think a lot of him. He’ll come good.

Keith Monaghan
49 Posted 10/11/2015 at 23:07:24
Can’t believe some of the negativity on here about Mirallas. Saying he’s lazy!!! What the hell does that make Barkley!!! Perhaps Gerry’s starting to learn, but haven’t seen much back-tracking from him.

Mirallas is easily a much bigger goal threat – and doesn’t waste free-kicks & corners anywhere near as consistently as Barkley.

OK he’s been inconsistent – but hasn’t played as much as he should have particularly this season. Apart from Rom, he’s easily our player most likely to hurt the opposition the way it hurts most – by scoring goals!

Si Cooper
50 Posted 10/11/2015 at 23:13:03
Obviously appearances from the bench aren't ideal but he needs to make more of them than what he has been doing if he wants to stake a claim for a start.
Would Routledge and Redmond still be at Swansea and Norwich if they were of a level that would significantly improve our starting XI?
Jim Knightley
51 Posted 10/11/2015 at 23:29:00
I can't believe there are posters saying things like sell Mirallas and bring in Huddlestone and Routledge... it’s absurd. A Championship slouch or bench fodder for a team worse than us, as a replacement for the most deadly attacking midfield in our club of the past few seasons?

Mirallas needs to stay. Deulofeu is fantastic, but no midfielder in our side scores as many goals as Mirallas. When Kone or Deulofeu lose form, Mirallas should come in as a replacement and stake his claim.

I could quote the stats, as I have in the past, but there seems little point when some talk about replacing Mirallas with average bench fodder.

Harold Matthews
52 Posted 10/11/2015 at 00:06:11
For me, Mirallas is a smaller, more skilful version of Lukaku. Goal hungry, quick, good one on one with a powerful shot. Apart from the size and skill factor, they’re almost identical. Stick Lukaku on the wing and he wouldn’t fare so well. Mirallas came here as a top striker and Moyes dumped him out wide. Martinez kept him there. Blind following the blind.

This lad is the biggest waste of talent I’ve seen in many a year. A goal machine chucked on the scrapheap because he wasn’t a big strong No 9 like Anichebe, Jelavic or Lukaku. If he had played the same minutes in their position would he have equalled their scoring record? No, he would have beaten it out of sight.

Andrew James
53 Posted 11/11/2015 at 00:18:21
He was a terrific player when he first joined 3 years ago under Moyes. Then he got an ugly injury thanks to Suarez. Since he’s been embroiled in injuries, annoying press statements and hit and miss form. Can be awesome but with GD back he’s going to struggle to return to the side unless there’s an injury crisis up front.

Sell him, make a couple of million and move on. I’m afraid this is one player who will always frustrate.

Eric Myles
54 Posted 11/11/2015 at 00:30:08
Harold (#51), just what I was thinking of writing but as usual you say it much better than me.

The problem with playing Mirallas on the wing is that he’s a striker.

Peter Laing
55 Posted 11/11/2015 at 00:38:22
Cash in and use the funds for Yarmalenko, he would be a class signing. Only one way now for Kevin at 28 and that's down.
Peter Gorman
58 Posted 11/11/2015 at 02:39:54
Luxury player? Inconsistent? Lazy? What a load of nonsense.

Mirallas's record stands second to none when it comes to midfielders at the club. When Pienaar started his spell of injuries, it was Mirallas who played wide left and shone, so why do people think they are having a brain-wave in suggesting he can play him there, he already has! He even tracked back and bailed Baines out; basically all the things that he is accused of not doing.

I am stunned by the collective amnesia that seems to surround this guy. I’d wager the attitude problem is with someone else at the club. I’ll give you a clue: he likes to say ’phenomenal’ a lot.

Victor Jones
59 Posted 11/11/2015 at 02:48:25
Having seen Mirallas play a few times up close and personal, there is no doubting that he has talent. He actually managed to score in the few games that I have seen him at Goodison Park.

A number of his goals came from him running onto, and cutting in from the left. We are crying out for someone in that position, linking up with Galloway or maybe Baines or possibly Oviedo. But who do you drop?

Lukaku (even when not playing well) is undropable. Why drop Kone? Deulofeu has claimed the right wing. Barkley? Will he really learn anything from the bench. Cleverley (when fit) is no mug. I even like to see Gibson get game time. Lennon and Naismith are IMO good players to count on from the bench.

So it is back to an old chestnut of a question (problem): do we really need two DMFs? Do we need both Barry and McCarthy against Villa? Drop one, play one, and bring in Mirallas. We have to break Villa down. We have to give ourselves the best chance of winning this game. I just wish it was this weekend.

I would go 4-1-3-2, one DMF, two wide men, one being Mirallas with Barkley (I would stick with him against Villa) in the middle and two up front. In future games, should Barkley not be performing, then Cleverley comes in.

All conjecture anyhow, as we all know Martinez’s perferred line up. McGeady will get a first team nod before Mirallas.

Oh for a manager who could adopt different systems to combat the playing styles of different opposition teams. Not major changes, just little subtle ones, that make a difference... but no chance of that with Martinez; he stumbles on to a system when injuries force him to.

And we have (hopefully a more experienced) Garbutt to come back also to play on the left. Get shot of the deadwood, promote a few youngsters. Martinez will have a very good young squad on his hands for the next few seasons. And Miralles could be part of that. Just think how Lukaku could play should we ever get a top class midfield general. Well, I can dream...

William Cartwright
60 Posted 11/11/2015 at 03:02:59
"I’m a team player who wants some game time to prove it..." Well said Kevin. Are you listening Roberto? Front 3 of Gerry, Rom and Kevin, backed up by Tom, Ross and Mo, with Seamus, John, Jags and Baines in front of Joel will win games for us. It really is that simple.
Darren Hind
61 Posted 11/11/2015 at 03:36:44
I think man management is playing a very big part here.

It's crucial for modern day managers to understand, empathise, support and love certain players, but if I was Martinez I would be doing serious damage to KM's ring piece with my handmade Italian brown size nines...

Ash Coakley
62 Posted 11/11/2015 at 04:51:19
I actually think this is a smart move by Bobby. The player was noisy last year, lots of comments suggested he was preparing to run down his contract or force a move (with minimal return). Martinez signed him up so the club have control, used him sparingly so we don’t over rely on a player regularly angling for moves to CL clubs (if you believe what you read) and then came out and said we want to keep him.

Now Mirallas has to request the transfer, and any potential buyers wont get him as cheap due to Bobbys ’key to our squad’ comments. Then Bobby will be able to say he only allowed the move to help the players international prospects a la Jelavic.

I rate Mirallas on his day, and regardless of fan opinion whether he should have more game time, Martinez does not rate (or maybe trust) him and so I am confident he will be sold in Jan, at least this way hopefully sees a decent return, "ahem" which gets pumped straight back into the squad.
Bob Parrington
63 Posted 11/11/2015 at 05:54:33
Methinks Gerry is starting to thread the odd very special pas and will improve further and further with consistent starts and he should make the RHS wing selection his own. This leaves heavy competition for Kevin but I hope he makes the left side wing his own also. They can swap positions during games to provide variance and this could be the making of a class act attack with the likes of Rom.

Must be frustrating to train hard each week and not play matches – for any decent player!

Abhishek Saha
64 Posted 11/11/2015 at 06:47:24
Given the standards set by Rom, Kone, Deulofeu and for that matter, even Naismith and the performances put in by them so far, I guess Barkley derves to get a feel of the bench.

I have said this before as well. We should start with Mirallas (L), Kone (C) and Delboy (R) behind Rom agianst the Villains.

Harold Matthews
65 Posted 11/11/2015 at 07:21:25
Mirallas joined Olympiacos on loan, age 21, but was such a success they gave him a 4-year contract. After settling down he played as a striker, scored 14 goals in 27 games and was the club’s top scorer. The following season, with better support, he scored 20 goals in 25 games and Everton jumped in and got him.
Geoff Risebrow
66 Posted 11/11/2015 at 08:07:40
Kevin Mirallas is a fantastic player and I love to see him in the blue shirt of Everton. He should be starting every game and as a lot of sensible fans have said, on the left hand side because Gerard has to play.

I also completely agree that we only need one DM for the majority of games. Let’s just have a go at the opposition and defend as a team when we lose the ball, it isn’t rocket science.
Eddie Dunn
67 Posted 11/11/2015 at 08:29:02
Harold, it is interesting to note Vardy’s success at Leicester, a similar player to Kevin, pace, skill and goals in him. Hodgson thinks he can be moved out to the wing, so he can accommodate Kane or Rooney. Likewise Kevin has never been allowed a regular stint at centre forward.

Martinez is quite astute and must have made his mind up on Kev’s future. I expect that he will be sold unless Lukaku goes first!

Dave Abrahams
68 Posted 11/11/2015 at 09:12:41
Good point, Eddie (#63), but there is a huge difference in the work rate between the two of them. Vardy is working away for the whole of the match.
Sam Hoare
69 Posted 11/11/2015 at 09:16:02
I would love to see him get a run of games in behind Lukaku or even alongside him. He’s proven that he’s one of the best goalscorers at the club and I suspect he would get more than Barkley in his current downturn.

Not gonna happen though as Martinez will never drop Barkley and it cannot be doubted that Kone has been playing well and bringing the best our of Lukaku recently.

I would quite love to see a front 4 of:

Mirallas Deulofeu Kone
Lukaku

Tony Abrahams
70 Posted 11/11/2015 at 11:53:43
Very interesting point, Harold. One thing is now certain: we now have attacking players with both skill and pace.
Denis Richardson
71 Posted 11/11/2015 at 13:18:25
Good point Harold 51 - many on here forget that KM was actually a striker when he came to us and I think was top scorer in the Greek league on his arrival (I know it's Greece...).

Round pegs in square holes has been an Everton speciality for many a year. To the 'striker asked to play wide' list can probably add Kone and Naismith - neither of which is really an AM.

Given our striking issues in the past, it is a bit odd that KM has never really been tried out up front. Either way we have a very talented player who isn't being given the pitch time he should, for whatever reason. Whether we should keep him or sell him is a bit of a no brainer if the manager won't pick him regularly.

As mentioned above, after the international break we'll have loads of games up to Jan so hopefully he can get a few starts and nail down a regular place. Deulofeu and Kone are playing well right now but Barkley isn't - however he also now seems to have joined the ranks of the undroppable. Think there are now only 2 places actually available in the side. Once Cleverley comes back it'll be 1!

Jackie Barry
72 Posted 11/11/2015 at 14:15:30
He may have been a striker in the Greek league but he is in no way a Lukaku.
Martin Reppion
73 Posted 11/11/2015 at 14:16:46
Its nice when we have an ambitious player in the squad who wants to get more time on the pitch. To this end, Kevin Mirallas allegedly says he may consider his options in January if he isn’t a regular starter.

Well, perhaps he should consider that he would have played much more football this year if, when he came on to the pitch, he didn’t get sent off for a daft petulant challenge.

He would also be selected more if, when he was playing, he would look as if he wanted the team to win rather more than wanting Mirallas to score.

Don’t get me wrong; I think he is a fantastic player who has the ability to win games for any team. But he reminds me far too much of Adam Johnson. World beater four games a season. Dead weight the rest of the time.

Instead of veiled hints that his agent may be getting a phone call, do the business on the pitch and a player will be playing and the manager will be turning away admiring clubs in their droves. If he isn’t going to do that, then it may be time to cash in and use the money where we need to strengthen the squad.
Ian Glassey
74 Posted 11/11/2015 at 14:57:45
I agree with Harold, Kev is a goal scorer and should be played up top alongside Rom.

Can anyone remember his first game in the League Cup against Orient I think. He played up top, played well, scored 2 goals, and never played there again.

I think he could even play the Barkley role and would deffo score more goals than Ross.

Peter Gorman
75 Posted 11/11/2015 at 15:03:13
Honestly Martin, I am a bit lost as to how you came to think Mirallas is "World beater four games a season. Dead weight the rest of the time".

Even a cursory glance at our midfield players’ stats going back to 2012-13 would show that that just isn’t true. Only Fellaini in that first season has outperformed him since he has been at the club. Even last season when he was injured and started a mere 18 games he produced more for the team than his peers.

Maybe that qualifies him as dead weight in your eyes, fine. But I shudder to think what your opinion of the rest of the players might be.

Again and again, he is singled out for this selective criticism. One could just as easily say: Lukaku, Barkley, Deulofeu, Naismith, Coleman, Stones – all inconsistent. Get rid.

Oliver Molloy
78 Posted 11/11/2015 at 15:34:21
Mirallas I believe said he chose Everton over Arsenal because he was basically guaranteed a place on the team. For me, that questions his character. Has he got the bottle, the will, or confidence (call it what you like) to fight for a place in the team?

He needs to prove he can come again and shove two fingers up to the likes of me and to get the decent move he craves.

As of now, there are certain clubs in the Premier League that would take a chance on him: £50 grand week, a 3year contract and it’s the likes of Sunderland, Norwich, Leicester, Villa, Newcastle and possibly a few more that would be interested. I would be very surprised if a Champions League club come in for him – or even Spurs.

Kevin must take his chance when it comes and of course he needs gametime. Although I am not his biggest fan, if I was him and saw Lennon (headless chicken) getting in the side in front of me, I would be upset.

Kevin Mirallas is good player, but has a big question mark over his temperament and Martinez doesn’t trust him at the moment, I fear.

Trevor Peers
79 Posted 11/11/2015 at 15:42:46
Surely the point with Kev is HE is the one always moaning about wanting a move, he makes statement after statement about his intention to either stay or leave.

Most good professionals just knuckle down to doing their job for the team without any controversy; he makes an awful lot of noise and produces very little in the teamwork department. Move him on before he becomes worthless.

Ian Brandes
80 Posted 11/11/2015 at 19:03:03
Yet another player, who has been ill-served by this manager. When you want to play, are good enough to play, and rarely get picked, perhaps you do start to sulk, it is understandable.

Kev has probably been a divisive influence in the dressing room, which is the normal excuse, so he will be sold. A pity someone else with a surname starting with M couldn’t go as well.

Barry Jones
81 Posted 12/11/2015 at 02:02:41
Mirallas is a very talented player. Deulofeu never comes in for criticism here but has been very average this year. He hugs the line waiting for the ball come to him and sulks when it doesn't. Mirallas definitely needs an extended run.

Having said that, my problem with Mirallas is that he is always threatening to leave. When he is in the team and playing well, he talks about going somewhere better.Then when he sits on the bench, he also feels the need to leave. So in hindsight, even taking into account his undoubted talent, maybe he should leave.

Aidy Dews
83 Posted 12/11/2015 at 11:27:02
Don’t think many people know their players on here?! Mirallas started out his career as a striker, yes, but by the time he moved to Olympiakos he had been used as a wide forward/ winger. At Olympiakos he played on the left in either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 and was given the freedom to attack, make things happen and score and he was brilliant there, scoring a lot of goals and setting up some as well.

That’s what prompted Moyes to buy him as we were after more quality out wide. And I can only remember Moyes playing Mirallas up front when we were desperate, he usually always played from the right due to us having Pienaar.

But let’s not forget here that Mirallas has said he wants to stay and fight for his place, he’s happy with us and would rather play for us!

For me, he should be starting on the left! It’s just unfortunate that at the start of the season both Naismith and Kone have come in and banged hat-tricks in as he’s started to get fit and looking to get back in the side. At the end of the day, you're going to give those a continued run after that. He’ll just have to bide his time again and hopefully come in and do the same as those two!


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