Season › 2012-13 › News Moyes wants to keep Fellaini at Everton Tom Dutton, The Independent , 26 April, 49comments | Jump to most recent David Moyes has stressed the importance of his attacking midfielder Marouane Fellaini, amid reports the Everton top-scorer could be heading for the exit door at the end of the season. "He is a big part of our squad, not only because of his size," said the 49-year-old. "He is someone that we will be more than happy to see here again next year." The midfielder has been pivotal for the Toffees this term, scoring 11 and assisting five of their 49 goals, while performing a more defensive duty on occasion. "He is a good player in either role and is capable of doing both," said Moyes, who believes the player's attacking opportunities will subside as he continues to flourish. "I think as he matures he might grow into a deeper role but currently he does give us a different attacking option and has scored quite a few goals." Despite conceding defeat in his side's pursuit of a top four finish, the Everton boss has lauded the transfer policy at Goodison Park, which has enabled the Merseyside club to consistently compete among the Premier League's elite. "We have chosen those players very wisely and that has given us a chance to compete with the teams at the top and we will continue to try and do that." Combined with Moyes's shrewd dealings in the transfer window, there is a prospering youth set-up that boasts success stories from the likes of Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe. "I am great believer in giving young boys opportunities, if they are doing well I will always try and put them in the team and give them a chance." "We have done well in finding some good local talent," said Moyes, who insists the academy's success is founded upon a necessity to take chances on young players. "Having a small squad it means we give them a chance sooner than some other clubs." Ross Barkley is just one sterling talent to emerge from Everton's Finch Farm training complex, but his progress has been injury-plagued since breaking onto the scene in 2010. After returning from a loan spell at Leeds United, Moyes is all too aware of the dangers of haste. "There is expectation around him and there has been a lot of talk but he has missed a lot of football through injury," he said. "We have to manage him correctly and give him time." Quotes or other material sourced from The Independent Reader Comments (49) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Nick Oakley 1 Posted 26/04/2013 at 05:51:36 I would not be all too devastated to see the mop-haired one leave the club. Resisting the urge to be reactionary following his 'reaction' during the unmentionable FA Cup game (which still hurts), I feel that Moyes playing Fella atop the midfield has restricted Jela's goalscoring and forced him to run the wings. Keep Jela within the width of the penalty area, let him prise open the space with his crafty runs and feed him the ball.I'd be sad for the chaps that make hard currency from the Fellaini wigs but otherwise, I think his time has run its course. Oh, and £30mil plus please... Kunal Desai 2 Posted 26/04/2013 at 06:37:32 So are you staying and signing a contract DM? Anto Byrne 3 Posted 26/04/2013 at 06:38:24 "I am great believer in giving young boys opportunities, if they are doing well I will always try and put them in the team and give them a chance"In 11 years, they would be the likes of Hibbert, Osman, Rodwell, Rooney and ????? Paul Andrews 5 Posted 26/04/2013 at 07:09:01 Yes Kunal he is staying.He always was.All the talk about wanting to see budgets for transfers.....waiting to see where we finish.....all bullshit.He will sign his new improved contract. Phil Sammon 6 Posted 26/04/2013 at 07:08:04 How many times does he have to say 'Ross has missed a lot of football through injury.' He'll still be wheeling that one out when he's 33. Very strange to hear Moyes talking about plans for next year. He seems to be doing it a lot for someone who might be on his bike. James Morgan 7 Posted 26/04/2013 at 07:59:46 I agree, Phil. He's missed a lot of football because Moyes has barely played him! Jon Withey 8 Posted 26/04/2013 at 08:45:27 Would be good to see a bit of Kennedy and Stones next year, although maybe we are more likely to see the loanees if that is the accepted process now. Chris James 9 Posted 26/04/2013 at 08:56:08 Yep and I'd quite like to win the lottery. I'm pretty sure neither are going to happen this summer though. Steve Edwards 10 Posted 26/04/2013 at 09:28:14 Yes I agree, it's strange Moyes coming out with talk of the future when we don't know his future. The sooner we know what's happening with him the better, otherwise these comments are futile. Dave Lynch 11 Posted 26/04/2013 at 09:37:53 Same old next season then.This has depressed the life out of me, then again I should have twigged when we where linked with a couple of defenders. John Keating 12 Posted 26/04/2013 at 10:01:55 I just wish Moyes would keep his fucking mouth shut about next season!He's got a bloody cheek. Hasn't got the decency to let the supporters or the players know what he's doing but expects us to listen to his thoughts on our Club's future! Prick. Kevin Tully 13 Posted 26/04/2013 at 10:03:51 It looks like Moyes has put himself in the shop window for a 'big' job and there have been no takers. Colin Glassar 14 Posted 26/04/2013 at 10:59:54 It's obvious that Moyes has used his contract to put himself out there with no takers and to get a bigger better contract for himself. So now he's lauding our "transfer policy" which means he's staying and we won't be spending in the summer!! What a pair Moyes and BK are. This is so depressing. Denis Richardson 15 Posted 26/04/2013 at 11:10:05 '"I am great believer in giving young boys opportunities, if they are doing well I will always try and put them in the team and give them a chance." I see comedy hour has arrived – Duffy, Barkely, McAleny, Vellios, Oviedo... not sure they'll quite agree with that statement when they see/saw the likes of Neville and Naismith regularly getting a run out.On a more worrying note – all this talk about wanting players to stay presumably means we're stuck with him for yet another 3-5 years! An entire generation of Evertonians will have been brought up on safety first, boring football. Depressing. Patrick Murphy 16 Posted 26/04/2013 at 11:36:52 What's the betting DM will sign a rolling one-year contract in the summer, it gives him time to have a good think about things and puts pressure on BK to find some money in order to keep him longer. If we can keep our top players, great, but we still need to add players to the squad and replace those who are too old or not good enough.More of a stay of execution rather than a full fledged commitment I would think. Derek Thomas 17 Posted 26/04/2013 at 11:45:12 He still can't or won't say if he is staying and can't be sure if Fellaini ( or Baines ) is eitherKeep them get rid of him Colin Glassar 18 Posted 26/04/2013 at 12:18:06 Totally agree Derek. If I had to choose between felli and Baines and Moyes I know who I'd choose. Anthony Flack 19 Posted 26/04/2013 at 12:36:11 I might be going slightly off topic here but is Felli really that good? I reckon that this season he has in roughly equal proportions been great and awful. I am not sure he would get in Man Utd's, Chelsea's or Man City's teams. I think Arsenal need him... but would not pay the money.I also think if he goes he may well end up like many others who have left, unhappy not playing and therefore all-in-all worse off. Colin Glassar 20 Posted 26/04/2013 at 12:44:40 Anthony, I think Fellaini can be as good, if not better, than Yaya Toure. He just needs a settled position which IMO is CM. He's ok as an emergency striker but he's best breaking up opponents play and starting counter attacks. Wherever he plays next season that has to be his role otherwise he's wasting his extraordinary talent. Denis Richardson 21 Posted 26/04/2013 at 13:44:09 I agree with you Colin – I have said for a long time that I think with a fit Gibbo and Fellaini in the middle of the park, our centre mid is a match for any team in the league. They provide a great screen for the defence and allow our wingers and No 10 to get on with the attacking bit (assuming we're not playing with 2 strikers).We then really just need a decent alternative to Pienaar on the left and another CM as Gibbo can only play half a season and Fellaini will be suspended for a few games (assuming he doesn't leave altogether). I was hoping that Oviedo would be the other left winger but the guy's not being given any time. On the right, we already have Mirallas and Coleman and in the No 10 role Barkely and Osman. Now we just need to tell Jelly to stay in and around the box.We have the makings of a very good 1st XI and credit to Moyes for bringing them together; however, he just doesn't let them off the leash for my liking. Oviedo and Barkley should have had many more minutes on the pitch – especially as Pienaar and Osman have been off-form for a good month or two now at least. Tom Bowers 22 Posted 26/04/2013 at 14:02:27 The squad has some very good players and others not so good. Yes, on occasions they can compete with the best but on a consistent level they are found wanting and I think because of three things that Moyes controls.1) Tactics that Moyes doesn't seem to be able to change when necessary in certain games;2) Motivation of the players when needed; and 3) Full use of the squad which everyone agrees Moyes doesn't do by keeping faith with players when most agree they are not producing.Fellaini has stepped up to the plate this season and showed what a class act he can be despite the two suspensions but then he is a heavily marked player now and has to deal with it without letting the side down. Hopefully he will still be with the Blues next season along with a few of the other very consistent players. One hopes the likes of Oveido, Barkley, Duffy and Vellios will breakthrough given the chance but if Moyes is still around then it's not likely. Certainly a few more good experienced signings could help such as the likes of Kone from Wigan and Wiemann of Villa are two players I would like in exchange for Osman and Anichebe. Yes, I know I am dreaming — but you know what I mean. Ernie Baywood 23 Posted 26/04/2013 at 14:35:35 Not convinced about Kone, but would love to se Weimann. I reckon he'd be a perfect fit for us. Jamie Crowley 24 Posted 26/04/2013 at 15:07:46 Moyes wants to keep him. That's nice...If he's in an Everton jersey next season I'll be stunned. Not gonna happen. Danny Jones 25 Posted 26/04/2013 at 13:15:06 This is just rehashed bits of old interviews. Not news.I'm not sure how these journalists keep their jobs. Lazy. Michael Kenrick Editorial Team 28 Posted 26/04/2013 at 15:50:39 Apparently Moyes did some interview this week with Yahoo.com. It looked so bland, I skipped right over it tbh... but perhaps this is where these gems came from:David Moyess Interview, Part 1.David Moyess Interview, Part 2. Danny Jones 29 Posted 26/04/2013 at 16:05:57 I was wrong.They are, however, stock answers to stock questions. The interview in full is quite good though. Thanks Michael. Tony Steele 30 Posted 26/04/2013 at 16:44:37 No European football = Fellaini and Moyes go bye-bye. End of. James Flynn 31 Posted 26/04/2013 at 16:36:58 I don't want him to go, but feel he is. But, Moyes or any, managers come and go. It may appear Fergy just gets put back in his crypt after games, but he'll go eventually, too.The larger question this summer is if the Club's going to boost Fella's and Baines' wages to match what's out there? Moyes stays or goes appears to be up to Moyes. But our owners increasing Baines and Fellaini wages . . . . . . ? The answer to that question appears definate. Peter Thistle 32 Posted 26/04/2013 at 18:10:56 He's having a laugh mentioning giving youth a chance. The only chance he gives them is to see what life is like sitting on a bench for a whole season while other older crappy players get game after game despite playing horribly. The Everton youth system is a myth. Eric Myles 33 Posted 26/04/2013 at 17:22:42 Anthony #903 "I reckon that this season he has in roughly equal proportions been great and awful."Exactly right and no different than all the previous seasons he have been with us except that the first couple of months he was more great than awful but then seems to have settled back to his norm. Eric Myles 34 Posted 26/04/2013 at 18:42:24 Paul #855, what makes you think that Kenwright would not have already agreed to a new improved contract for Moyes if that's what he's asked for to sign a new contract? Paul Andrews 35 Posted 26/04/2013 at 20:51:44 Eric,Sorry,could you explain that again please. Ross Edwards 36 Posted 26/04/2013 at 20:55:47 I want Fellaini and Moyes to both go preferably. Bjørn-Ivar Pedersen 37 Posted 26/04/2013 at 21:53:04 Emmmm....Sell Fellaini and bring in two players for the money....would look better that way when you count the squad, when injuries and fatigue sets in. Paul Holden 38 Posted 27/04/2013 at 00:09:06 We all know he's off to London, and I bet Bainsey goes to Man Utd. Phil Sammon 39 Posted 27/04/2013 at 00:30:12 Really Paul?Can't see Man U paying £20M+ when they have Evra.Can't see Baines being happy with the rotation either.I hope he stays and I think he will. Paul Andrews 40 Posted 27/04/2013 at 07:44:32 Paul 048,Where is he off to in London? Paul Dark 41 Posted 27/04/2013 at 12:05:13 ' [...] more than happy'?It needs to be more heartfelt and stronger than that, Moyes.Everyone having to second guess whether he'll be here and what his statements mean - all this speaks not so well of Moyes.He's clearly waiting to see if something 'better' comes up; we are too big a club for such an attitude from a man who has never won anything in his life. Ever!Still, he's done a good job in many ways (though nothing like as good as the media would have it, mind).I really hope Felliani stays - he's a terrific player - despite his shortcomings. We need him more than he us. Paul Dark 42 Posted 27/04/2013 at 12:09:27 Really hope Baines stays.He's a nice guy (as well as a terrifically important footballer for us) - and Man Utd are the most horrible, cheating, ugly club and team in the world ... bar none.Don't lower yourself, Leighton. Frida Ericsson 43 Posted 27/04/2013 at 12:12:53 I wish Moyes would take himself, Jelavic and Naismith and just do one. If the new manager wants to sell Fellaini and Baines so be it, if it means we actually compete and win silverware. I am dreading the Derby, Moyes will be back to bending over again.I do not know how reliable Sky Sports News reporters are but, according to the teletext on Sky Sports, Moyes is quoted as saying he wants to keep Jelavic, a long list of clubs want him, he has no intention of letting him go, he is only tired (and rolls out the long list of words making excuses for a man, who couldn't hit a barn door)...If Sky are right regarding that report, then it looks like Gollum is about to sign a new contract... which will guarantee we fail for the remainder of his new contract.God, I hope he doesn't sign and is doing one. Thomas Windsor 44 Posted 27/04/2013 at 13:08:18 Would you walk away from a job paying £4 million a year and you don't have to win bugger all???Of course he was going to stay... He did nothing as a player so what better way to build up money in the bank? Paul Andrews 45 Posted 27/04/2013 at 13:12:57 Paul Dark,I hope that is tongue in cheek sarcasm re the bar none comment.I can think of one ....... Ian Bennett 46 Posted 27/04/2013 at 13:42:01 Sell Fellaini, Heitinga, Jelavic, and release Neville.Bring in Bassong, Lukaku, Remy, and a high calibre box to box midfielder. Take a gamble on Granero from QPR. Paul Dark 47 Posted 27/04/2013 at 14:04:07 Paul A: No, tongue in cheek: I think Man Utd cheat, bully and pretend their way to wins. Without the constant and bullied help of officials, Ferguson wouldn't be the great manager many see him to be - not even close - in my opinion. I think Liverpool have more dignity than Man U, but that really isn't saying much. I think both Chelsea and Man U are wrose than LFC - although I loathe the RS.By the way: LFC's response to Suarez (a bigger cheat than he is a biter even!) said it all: club in serious decline in all senses ... . John Keating 48 Posted 28/04/2013 at 14:06:36 Is it not horrendous and a sad state of affairs when we are talking about selling players in order to improve our squad?Everton Football Club should be looking at signing players in order to improve the present squad. Bill and your best mates on the board - take a bow !!Fucking disgrace!! You have dragged us to the level of Hartlepool!Cheers!! Ernie Baywood 49 Posted 28/04/2013 at 14:36:03 Ian, Granero and Bassong are both shite. Not just a bit shite, but really shite.Remy would give us something different. Lukaku looks like he should be a centre forward but can't be trusted so gets shoved out wide. Imagine if that happened at Goodison!!! Niall MacDiarmada 50 Posted 28/04/2013 at 14:38:39 Who once said.. "You don't win anything with kids"Well, how do you know until you throw them in??Moyes, start blooding younger players!!! Ian Bennett 51 Posted 28/04/2013 at 14:48:37 Ernie - it's an opinion. Bassong looks decent enough to me as a left sided alternative to bringing back Lescott. Granero looks lost, but reminds me of a young Arteta. A decent player that can be brought on for buttons with the right manager.It's never going to happen, but the two front lads will get goals. Mike Berry 52 Posted 28/04/2013 at 18:56:58 Sell him and Heitinga. Simple as that. Keep Jely, he keeps going! Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads