Season › 2012-13 › News

Johnny may wait and see...

Greg O'Keefe, Liverpool Echo , 1 June, 36comments  |  Jump to most recent
John Heitinga may stay at Everton this summer; he wants to wait and see if his prospects of regular first team football improve under the club's soon to be appointed new manager.

Heitinga told the Liverpool Echo, “For the moment I will come to Liverpool for the start of pre-season. That's no punishment. We will get a new manager this summer. I don't know his vision on the game. Maybe he says, ‘John must stay'. I also don't know what the chairman wants.

“Everton came with a proposal, but I decided not to sign. The club did not say that I have to leave this summer. I have a contract until 2014. I am 29 years old now and I want to play more often.”

However, it seems he told the Sun and the Mail a somewhat different story...

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (36)

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James Stewart
1 Posted 01/06/2013 at 15:54:53
Yawn.

Move on already

Harold Matthews
3 Posted 01/06/2013 at 16:08:41
He won't get a big wage elsewhere. No wonder he wants to stay. We need to sell him now.
Gerry Quinn
4 Posted 01/06/2013 at 16:26:35
With his disciplinary record, he would go well together with Shawcross and Mark Hughes at anti-football Stoke City! Get rid, Duffy is a better player to keep!
Terry Maher
5 Posted 01/06/2013 at 16:43:16
He's got no chance — there's no way the new manager will drop Jags and Distin. Sell him and put the money towards a new striker.
Lenny Kingman
6 Posted 01/06/2013 at 16:44:22
His moniker as a World Cup final playing centre half has been consigned to ancient history. As should he be at EFC.

New era coming so clear out the deadwood and overwaged..

Minik Hansen
7 Posted 01/06/2013 at 16:59:30
He deserves playing time. I agree with keeping Duffy, so it seems like it's best if Heitinga moves on. It takes games to be fit anyway, and Distin and Jags are no doubt the choices this next season, and hopefully a handful of games for Duffy.
James Byrne
8 Posted 01/06/2013 at 17:04:06
That vision of Johnny being made a complete arse by Benteke sends shivers FFS!

Goodbye Johnny, it was good while it lasted...............

Harold Matthews
9 Posted 01/06/2013 at 17:08:00
Wonder If he's heard something about the new boss.
Eugene Ruane
10 Posted 01/06/2013 at 17:28:51
Typical Echo, that's not what he said.

My mate overheard the interview and reckons what he actually said was "I'm 29 and I don't want to be shitting on the bench".

The Dutch, dirty bastards the lot of them.

Eric Myles
11 Posted 01/06/2013 at 17:39:28
Gerry #-59, without googling it I would bet Fellainis disciplinary record is worse and would do better at Stoke?
Paulo Hogerio
12 Posted 01/06/2013 at 17:41:35
He's a very good player I look forward to him staying.
Brent Stephens
13 Posted 01/06/2013 at 18:08:29
Paulo, no argument (if that's what you're looking for).
Chris Morris
14 Posted 01/06/2013 at 18:08:02
How about saying "I will stay because nobody else wants me and I will try to improve and force my way into the side. I will try and change the fact that I have the turning circle of the moon and actually concentrate on where the strikers are, instead of watching the ball"??????????????????

Just a thought

Paul Andrews
15 Posted 01/06/2013 at 18:17:37
Martinez lies to play with 3 centre halfs
Gavin Ramejkis
16 Posted 01/06/2013 at 18:25:47
Paul, Martinez also rates Alcaraz who frankly is shit compared to prospect of developing Duffy who is 9 years younger than him
James Stewart
17 Posted 01/06/2013 at 19:02:31
@116 the thought od Martinez shopping for a new defender is slightly scary. This is a guy who said Paul Scarner was one of the best centrebacks in Europe. Rangnick for me.
Paul Andrews
18 Posted 01/06/2013 at 19:34:48
Gavin,
I would sell Heitinga,he may think he has a chance for a fresh start if Martinez gets the job.
Last year of his contract is a no brainer for me,last chance to get some money for him
Phil Sammon
19 Posted 01/06/2013 at 20:13:47
One thing I was taught from a very early age:

Never trust a man who owns a white suit.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/O0s-xbWnNx6/John+Heitinga+Charlotte+Zenden+Get+Married/YCffvQz1Mq7/John+Heitinga

Paul Kelly
20 Posted 01/06/2013 at 21:49:34
Providing he can get a run of games under his belt as he did last term, he can be a good player, just in the same way Coleman benefited from ( his first few games were uninspiring at full back and look at him now ).

Johnny was shit hot at the back so much so we were prepared to let Jags go,( Arsenal, 10 million) anyone remember that?

Not his fault he was dropped by Moyes for a half fit Jags, but coming in to the team on a part time basis don't suit him( or us ) so probably best to cash in if he don't play.

Paul Kelly
21 Posted 01/06/2013 at 21:58:55
Last term-season before last.
Colin Glassar
22 Posted 01/06/2013 at 22:17:48
John you cost us six points at least last season. Just go and let Duffy reach his potential.
Steve Bell
23 Posted 01/06/2013 at 23:38:35
Heh, thanks Johnny. Gosh, so you will attend pre-season and see how things pan out. Awfully grateful, dam civil of you, don't know how we would cope without you. Can't wait to see your name on the team sheet again... (Like I actually give a flying fuck if you return.)

Oh and Paulo H, you are a complete WUM.

Steve Bell
24 Posted 02/06/2013 at 04:05:49
Re my last post. I'am not one to swear on an Internet forum and I distinctly remember typing flying f**k . Is my iPad suddenly taken control ( have noticed some strange words when checking my post), or is someone messing about with my post?
Maybe there is an auto swear facility or maybe I'm going nuts.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
25 Posted 02/06/2013 at 07:07:51
Steve, the asterisks are a copout. Do you really that means you're not swearing? If you don't want to write the word, don't use it.
Steven Telford
26 Posted 02/06/2013 at 07:08:10
One 4 letter word to share with you Johnny
F-O-R-M

is there something wrong with this guy, how can somebody play so badly and still feel aggrieved - cheated even - in not having a first team place.

Harold Matthews
27 Posted 02/06/2013 at 12:26:00
Is Duffy quick?
Colin Glassar
28 Posted 02/06/2013 at 12:39:30
Duffy's quicker than Heitinga and he's a better footballer as well. Three MOTM performances in only five games last season, and ginger didn't rate him.
Brian Waring
29 Posted 02/06/2013 at 12:45:13
Steven (#267) why can't he feel aggrieved? when Jags was out injured Heitinga was playing really well and formed a great partnership with Distin,but was then dropped like a lead balloon as soon as Jags was back, even though Jags was still not fully fit. So IMO, he has every reason to feel aggrieved.

Also, maybe he and Moyes didn't get on (not hard to imagine) and that's why he wanted out, now a new man is to come in he is keeping his options open.

Steven Telford
30 Posted 02/06/2013 at 13:15:02
Brian, you may be right, no memory is perfect, however my general recollection of Johnny this season consists of a few howlers and fair bit of complaining to journalists. on balance, I think he cost us point this season.
Granted he scored a decent goal, but overall very poor form.
Drew Shortis
31 Posted 02/06/2013 at 14:16:42
It's a shame Johnny has gone from Everton's Player of the Season for 2011–12 to a bit-part player. I agree his form was patchy this season, but I wonder how he would do with a run in the team in a Martinez style back three with Jags and Distin? If he was used more as a centre-back / anchorman, I think he could still do a decent job.

His lack of pace and positional sense was exposed too often this season to rely on him as a man-marker against the likes of Suarez and Benteke though. If we can get around £5M for him then I think it would be sensible to take it. I will never forget the shoulder barge on Ashley Cole in the penalty shoot-out though!

Kev Shearer
33 Posted 02/06/2013 at 19:06:11
Well I suspect I might get criticism for my comments but thats life im afraid.......

Im a big Johnny H fan....now....i know he has his faults like lack of pace etc.....but, on his day hes a top international whos played for Ajax and Athletico and at the top level i.e World Cup flnal...

Hes no mug!!!

Two seasons ago he was our player of the year and ok hes had a shocking season but he was in and out the team a lot!!!

I think he should be used as a def mid sat in front of back four because his positioning; reading of the game, tackling and passing ability is top drawer....

I also think hes captain material....he has leadership qualities and highly experienced......he communicates and has an aura about him...top player on his day!!!!!.......johnny johnny johnny johnny heitanga oooohhh johnny johnny!!!!!

Roman Sidey
34 Posted 02/06/2013 at 19:49:58
Top stuff Kev. I've been beating the Heitinge-captain drum for years. It's blatantly obvious that he is the type of player that plays best when he plays a lot. For that, I wouldn't begrudge him a move away, and I think a top club would have him. I'd be gutted though.

What grinds my gears about this is the treatment he gets from fans for just a couple of shocking games. It happens to everyone. Distin didn't get half as much stick for his back-pass at Wembley as Johnny got for his game against Villa. I just don't understand that. And a lot of the people giving him the worst stick are the same people who constantly defend the likes of Osman and Hibbert.

Also, a lot of people are saying "Get rid of Johnny and keep Duffy." I'll agree that Duffy is an exciting prospect, but he's as green as an unripe avocado. Without showing too many signs of age, Distin is nearly 36, and is likely to not have 38 games in him.

Kev Shearer
35 Posted 03/06/2013 at 01:17:40
Definitely Roman!!...glad you agree. Heitinga's the kind of player that has faith in his ability... and although he can be a top player on his day, he's hardly a world beater I admit.

But, having said that, he can be an intimidating vocal experienced European defender... definitely my choice as captain and I'd have him playing week-in, week-out, playing in front of Jags and Distin because those two can't distribute at all.

He's a better footballer than most people give him credit for. His long-range passing and tough-tackling approach, accompanied by the captain's armband, protecting the back four would bring out the best in Johnny H....

Tony Farrell
36 Posted 03/06/2013 at 08:40:47
Sorry, Johnny mate, even a new manager won't save ya, lad! I can't see ya playing top flight anymore...

JH may read the game well but he's lacking in pace. He's been shown up time and again this season, the Villa game at home in particular. Benteke not only brushed him apart like a schoolboy but left him for dead before scoring.

There's plenty of other games where his pace or lack of it has led to goals against. The game's a lot faster and strikers are quicker and stronger and I am afraid, John there's a few ahead of you. And that includes a player who's a few years older than you. Maybe the Dutch 2nd Division... or Liverpool.

Brian Wilkinson
37 Posted 04/06/2013 at 05:49:39
Jog on, Jonny... I'm sick of hearing your rants year after year. You were shocking last season and deserved to be dropped. At least Phil Neville had the balls to admit after the Wigan game his time was up as a player.
Dave White
38 Posted 04/06/2013 at 09:51:41
Agreed that there's some very short memories on here, no disputing that Jags and Distin are no. 1 partnership but we could do a lot worse than JH as a 3rd centre back.

We need more than two centre backs with first team experience.

Having a poor season last season doesn't wipe out what he has done in previous years. It just depends whether he will get a sniff of playing time.

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