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Fellaini says he's happy at Everton

, , 11 May, 46comments  |  Jump to most recent
"Every player wants to play in the Champions League. That is the big competition," Fellaini told the Daily Mirror. "I hope I can do it with Everton. I'm happy here. I've been at the club for five years. I'm happy because I know everybody.

"For my future, I want to play in England. The Premier League is the best league. Here there are five, six, seven, eight teams, all of whom think they are good enough to play in the Champions League and want that.

"There isn't another country in Europe where you get that.

"I know my quality. I know the most important things for me. When I came here, I knew the Premier League would be difficult, knew about the physical nature of the league and the high intensity," added Fellaini.

"The manager gave me a lot of confidence and the players trusted me. I've worked hard on the training pitch and tried to give my maximum for the club.

"Sometimes I look at myself and ask, 'What is my best position?' I think it's a defensive midfielder, that's the best one.

"The manager might like it sometimes when I play up front because I can cause trouble for the defenders, but for me my best position defensive midfield — stopping the opposition and then looking to impose myself on a game.

"When I play up front, it's hard. It's not my position and I find it difficult. I've played in a few positions. Sometimes I've played well there. I understand why the manager might put me up there."  

Reader Comments (46)

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Kunal Desai
1 Posted 11/05/2013 at 15:56:02
Fellaini will not be at Everton come the start of next season. Everton can't offer him champions league football. This must be an old story in any case.
Ross Edwards
2 Posted 11/05/2013 at 15:57:37
He will follow our soon to be ex manager to OT with Baines following in tow.
James Stewart
3 Posted 11/05/2013 at 15:59:08
Couldn't agree with him more. His best position is DM. We played ugly with him up top and it should have only been as a last resort.
Neil Humphreys
5 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:05:08
Agree he wont be here next season. Man U, Madrid or Chelsea in that order. Billy will be rubbing his hands! Just imagine how many "other operating costs" his fee will cover!
Nick Entwistle
6 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:13:56
The saved wages from Moyesville will not give us a proper transfer kitty, and who knows what will happen to the sky dough.

Fellaini leaving may be the only way to attract a manager of value who will expect something to spend.

Mark Tanton
7 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:23:38
Sounds to me like this is a plea to Mr New Boss to played in his preferred position. Strange though, as surely he's not hanging around. Maybe he's going to wait and see who Kenwright manages to bring in before deciding where to play football next season - I certainly can't see him at Man Utd. Surely that's Leighton Baines' destination though.
Kevin Day
8 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:33:01
Maybe, just maybe, he loves it at Everton. Stranger things have happened.
Drew Shortis
9 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:28:19
We need the next manager to have a clear vision of how we are to achieve European football if we are to hope to hold on to our best talent. I really hope Fellaini gives it one more season but I fear a big money offer will tempt him away. If Baines and Fellaini do leave the new manager will have a large transfer pot to play with and I would love to see us go for Capoue, Fer and Remy (Ok perhaps the competition for Remy may be too stiff), There should be enough in wages (with the cumulative savings from Moyes, Neville, Baines and Fellaini) to offer competitive wages. It is certainly going to be a summer of big changes, but it does not necessarily have to be doom and gloom! I also hope that a more attack minded manager would be able to get the best out of Jelavic who's lack of goals this season have been the difference between 6th and top 4 in my opinion!
Brett Jonathan
10 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:41:49
Sounds to me like he is happy at Everton and is letting the new manager know he disliked the way Moyes played him up top.

Seems reasonable to me that he feels like he can play the football he wants to play in his position of choice with a manager that lets him.

Like Kevin 404 says, stranger things have happened, and this one isn't really all that strange when you think about it.

Stuart O'Malley
11 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:48:53
I heard mentioned on here before that I heard on a very reputable Irish radio show, "Off the Ball", that Kenwright upped Felli's wages to 6mil for this season due to the fact that 2 clubs, one English the other foreign matched his buy-out clause on deadline day. The source was apparently an official from Monaco FC. Make sense to me because during August he was playing like the devil, and sense then has not been arsed in my opinion. After the Wigan debacle I wanted rid, and still feel the same. Cash in and get someone who gives a fuck. Or at least pretends to.
Stuart O'Malley
12 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:56:30
Sorry, that was meant to say I have mentioned!
Stu Smith
13 Posted 11/05/2013 at 16:59:27
Just wanted to check something... if Wigan get relegated is there a possibility they can request not to be in the Europa League. If they want to get back to the Prem. its not easy and surely Europe would be a distraction? Would that then open 6th in the league?
Derek Wadeson
14 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:00:33
A hard decision for Bill Kenwright to make, appoint a new manager then sell Felli & Baines under his nose or sell them first and make do with a coach of less pedigree
Phil Friedman
15 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:07:07
If we win our last 2, and Spurs lose theirs, we tie on points. Who goes to the Europa League? I read somewhere it's not goal difference but a one game playoff at. Neutral site?
Ross Edwards
16 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:09:33
Europe is over Stu. Why are utterly ludicrous scenarios being dragged out?
Nick Entwistle
17 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:11:16
Yeah these utterly ludicrous scenarios never happen do they? Who would choose him Ross, who?
Ross Edwards
18 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:12:38
Nick
What? I was talking about Europe, not Moyes.
Nick Entwistle
19 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:14:02
Glad someone knows what you bang on about.
Brent Stephens
20 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:11:04
Stu, an interesting question.

Ross, do you have to be so insulting, mate ("utterly ludicrous scenarios") ? Can't you say it with a bit more humility? Was it you (forgive me if not) who was asking the Ed to protect you from unsavoury comments?

Ross Edwards
21 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:17:09
Why would Wigan refuse to play in Europe Brent? Birmingham played in Europe whilst in the Champinonship. It is ridiculous to suggest that a team that was in the 4th division 12 years ago would refuse Europe.
Jackie Barry
22 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:17:38
This doesn't seem to be an old report at all, maybe he has come out said what he really feels now that Moyes is off to Man U. I truly doubt he will stay but I think he was frustrated at being played where he was.
Minik Hansen
23 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:20:04
Or sending a message to the next efc manager. I hope he is willing to stay because of the good potential summer to bring in quality to the squad. Fellaini still the man. COYB.
Craig Mills
24 Posted 11/05/2013 at 17:24:58
I read a lot on a Man Utd forum last night, the general feeling from most Utd fans is that a new manager usually brings one or two players with him.

Surprisingly, the majority commented that Baines would offer nothing more than what Evra already does for them, especially given the fee Everton would want. Hardly anyone would welcome Fellaini saying his style would not suit Manchester United's style of play, and again at over £20m would not be a good investment. The name that came up more often than any other as a welcome addition... the promising Ross Barkley.

Maybe Fellaini will be at Everton next year, I for one hope he is, and as he says in the interview, he feels at home at Everton and I get the feeling that counts for a lot in his eyes.

James Stewart
25 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:07:07
I've heard that from many United fans. Evra is popular there. Not sure why Baines is superior in every way. Most United fans I know don't bother actually watching other teams which probably has something to do with it! Fellaini would be a good buy for them they are weak in Midfield.
Dan McKie
26 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:18:56
James, most United fans don't watch United neither. They just check the score and update their Facebook status' with 'United'.

Evra is coming up for 32 and that Buttner doesn't look like good, and Fabio is shite. It wouldnt surprise me if he came in for Baines. Let's not forget though, that Moyes can now shop at Harrods when it comes to players. He might not give any of the players that he has left a second thought.

John Gee
27 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:24:35
This is the Warrior interview he did when he signed a sponsorship deal with them. It's months out of date.

The journo has probably googled fellaini, found this and presented it as being current.

Jackie Barry
28 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:32:05
Really I was just reading it and it didn't sound like this.
Stu Smith
29 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:30:08
Ross forgive me but arent Birmingham still in the championship? So therefore its a good possibility that the Europa league hinder their chances of returning to the prem.??? Not rocket science is it?
Chris Corn
30 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:54:32
If Moyes has an interest in Baines, expect a low offer. He is 29 in December and I wonder if the PLC (or whatever they are!) will sanction big money for a full back who by the end of his contract will not have any real value.

Chris Corn
31 Posted 11/05/2013 at 18:54:32
If Moyes has an interest in Baines, expect a low offer. He is 29 in December and I wonder if the PLC (or whatever they are!) will sanction big money for a full back who by the end of his contract will not have any real value.

Roberto Birquet
32 Posted 11/05/2013 at 19:35:24
Kunal
It is old. The interview is a week old. Before Moyes was offered the Man U job.
Robin Cannon
33 Posted 11/05/2013 at 21:47:13
He's absolutely right on the best position. I always felt like the plan at the start of the season was supposed to be Fellaini/Gibson central midfield and then Naismith supporting Jelavic "in the hole" as he'd done at Rangers.

There was a very good reason to put him up front as a one off tactical approach to start the season against United, but it kinda felt like his success in that game then led to him being put their more permanently.

Robbie Muldoon
34 Posted 11/05/2013 at 22:00:24
"When I play up front, it's hard. It's not my position and I find it difficult. I've played in a few positions. Sometimes I've played well there. I understand why the manager might put me up there."

What a shame we won't get to see him played in his favourite and best position.

Paul Andrews
35 Posted 11/05/2013 at 22:41:50
Obvious what message he is sending.
If I leave it is because the club want to sell me,not because I asked to go.
Phil Sammon
36 Posted 11/05/2013 at 23:32:46
Obvious, Paul, just obvious isn't it.

Obviously it's passed Paul by that this interview was actually conducted 6 months ago. But I guess that much is obvious.

Obviously.

Tim Jones
37 Posted 12/05/2013 at 02:43:35
And David Moyes was signing a new contract right up until the time he signed one with Man U.
Derek Thomas
38 Posted 12/05/2013 at 05:19:47
aka STILL no offers
Jackie Barry
39 Posted 12/05/2013 at 05:22:08
Just out of interest please show me the interview conducted 6 months ago, I can not find it.
Paul Andrews
41 Posted 12/05/2013 at 08:47:32
What difference does it make to my point if the interview was 6 months ago Phil ?
James Byrne
42 Posted 12/05/2013 at 11:46:29
I just wonder if the Moyse deal with Manu has been done and dusted for the past 18 months, what players have also been lined up to go with him?

I'd love Fellaini to stay as well as Baines but I think now Moyse has gone we are set to go backwards; any sale of players and the huge funds that can be raised and left in the hands of our Bill is a fkn disaster.

If Bill doesn't secure a manager in the next two weeks this situation will become even worse.

Paul Andrews
43 Posted 12/05/2013 at 12:23:50
Phil Sammon 851

I presume you were a little inebriated when you posted that ?
Obviously.

Robert Workman
44 Posted 12/05/2013 at 13:38:01
Just asked a Man Utd fan if he would swop Rooney for Baines. He said that he wouldn't swop the United pie seller for Baines! So there you have it, straight from the horses mouth.
Terry McLavey
46 Posted 13/05/2013 at 12:37:58
Didn't Mikel pledge himself to us for the rest of his career after the way we looked after him during his injury!
Paul Holden
47 Posted 13/05/2013 at 14:26:50
He's off, with Bainsey!
James Carlisle
48 Posted 13/05/2013 at 15:34:11
Bullshit from fellaini. He's just a mercenary who has no love for everton. He will not be with us next season. Can't say i'll miss the lazy bastard either, as long as he's with us he'll continue to talk himself up something chronic. Hopefully with him gone Jelavic can become main striker again, get back some confidence then get back to scoring!
Liam Reilly
49 Posted 14/05/2013 at 10:48:38
Moyes used to say that if Everton have to sell then it wont be cheaply. Will be interesting therefore to see what kind of offers are made for our players from United (if any), as he must be aware of what bids BK would entertain.

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