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Leon Osman celebrates 10 years

New 3-year contract extension in process

There has been a lot of media publicity this week talking up Loen Osman's 10th anniversary of his debut game, coming on as a 91st-minute sub at the end of a 4 - 3 loss at Spurs on 12 January 2003. And The Mirror now reports that Leon Osman will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Everton debut this weekend by signing a new three-year contract.

The 30 year-old is enjoying the best form of his career and Moyes is only too happy to reward a player who is an integral part of his side with a new deal.

“We are giving him a new contract because he is such a valuable player to us,” Moyes said, who noted that England's top flight is more accommodating to a player of his technique and stature than it was when Osman first came onto scene.

“If he stays free of injury, he can go on for some years yet," Moyes continued. "There are different types of players coming into the Premier League now, and it is a far less physical place — and that helps. He could survive in the other style of football and have a career, but now he is thriving.

And Moyes acknowledges the progress the Skelmersdale native has made over the past decade since overcoming a serious knee injury in his teens to make his debut on 12th January 2003 in a 4-3 defeat against Tottenham .

“He was already here when I walked in the door," his manager recalls, "and there was always a talent there which we really liked. But I would honestly say that this is his best season so far for us, he just keeps developing and maturing, and adding to his game.”

After spending a valuable development spell on loan at Derby County, Osman eventually broke into the Everton first team as a regular in 2004 and has become a mainstay of the Blues' midfield. The distance he has come as a player was exemplified by his first England cap which he won this season. Moyes believes the influence of Barcelona on football has allowed his midfield star to develop into one of the country's best.

“I think Ossie is perhaps the example of how there has been a big style change in the Premier League over the past 10 years,” he said.

“When he first came in 10 years ago the Premier League was a more physical place. You even look at the Champions at that time, Arsenal, and yeah they had Bergkamp and Henry, but they had Vieira and Petit, Campbell and Toure, and they were a physically imposing unit.

“Some of the laws have changed, there is less tackling and no tackling from behind. It is more about covering now and positional play. The back pass law has changed things too.

“Barcelona perhaps have changed things with how they've done so well with small, talented footballers, and that has paved the way for smaller guys to thrive in this league... and that's helped.

“Early on, Ossie had the skills, but he did what he had to, so he could get a game, and he developed a competitive edge. If he had to mix it, he wouldn't shy away from that.

“We looked after him, played him off the side and also further forward at times, but for me, now in this climate he is as good a central midfield player as anybody in the country right now.”

Quotes or other material sourced from The Mirror

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