Season › 2014-15 › News Besic: Martinez was a big reason why I chose Everton Lyndon Lloyd , 6 December, 30comments | Jump to most recent Muhamed Besic has revealed that he knew he wanted to sign for Everton instead of taking up other offers he received following the World Cup after speaking with Roberto Martinez. In an interview with The Guardian, the 21 year-old Bosnian explains that had it not been for his performances in Brazil he would likely have ended up moving to Basel in Switzerland, the team that was courting him prior to the tournament. His stock rose dramatically after shining for his country in his defensive midfield role, including an impressive marking job on Lionel Messi, and he was contacted by clubs from the Continent's biggest leagues including the Premier League, with Swansea City ending up being the Blues' biggest competition for his signature. "I knew literally nothing about Everton but after speaking with the manager I decided this was the club I wanted to join,” he says. “I think I might have been playing for Basel now without the World Cup. I had been talking to them before going to Brazil, but after the tournament there was suddenly interest from England, Spain and Italy.” Martinez got his man after a protracted transfer saga for what already looks like a bargain £4m and with the recent injuries to James McCarthy and Gareth Barry, the Berlin-born player he has been repaying that fee with some increasingly impressive stand-in displays. Besic says that while he has been getting physically stronger to deal with the demands of the English game and has been getting game time sooner than expected, he is still only halfway towards where he wants to be and doesn't think Evertonians will see the best of him for another few months. “I always fancied a move to England," he continues. "I like the style of play but I don't believe I have produced anything like my best yet, only around 50% so far. In this league I am prepared to be patient, though. "But I do feel I am getting better. I am getting used to the pace of the game as well as getting stronger through gym work. “When I came to England I could see that I was a little bit skinny compared to others, so I am trying to build up weight and strength. "I need a bit more time but I hope in another half year when I am really well settled in the league then my quality will come out." The former Hamburg and Ferencvaros man also discusses his loyalty to Bosnia-Herzegovina and describes how he was content to take a step back in moving to a "smaller league" in Hungary in order to advance his career after his time in the Bundesliga didn't go according to plan. » Read the full article at The Guardian Quotes sourced from The Guardian Reader Comments (30) 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 James Flynn 1 Posted 06/12/2014 at 00:54:45 Tiger Tim with more pace and ball skills? For sure, he's got the attitude. Ajay Gopal 2 Posted 06/12/2014 at 03:37:41 Do your man-marking today and keep Aguero quiet! Jamie Crowley 3 Posted 06/12/2014 at 04:33:39 So I guess that sojourn off to the World Cup was a big fucking waste of time.....At least that's what I've read from some quarters. David Barks 4 Posted 06/12/2014 at 05:21:15 Jamie,So you don't think he could have seen Besic do a job in the World Cup while watching the match on TV? I watched just about every match from the comfort of my couch, and I noticed what a good job Besic did. Noticed quite a few real quality players on that Columbia team too. Too bad we didn't sign any of them. Somehow Real Madrid managed to pick up that James Rodriguez was quality without sitting in a TV studio in Brazil.The fact is Martinez sat around in Brazil for many many weeks, and it was quite apparent there was no planning being done for the preseason. We failed to win a single match in preseason, and that exact trend has continued into the Premier League season. It's no coincidence. He didn't prepare, and he didn't prepare the team. And now we get to watch an Everton side that emulates that thought process, absolutely no sense of urgency during a match. Paul Andrews 5 Posted 06/12/2014 at 06:47:39 A big waste of time Martinez going to the World Cup.Instead of seeing a player first hand and stealing him for ٢ million, he could have come home earlier and kicked his heels walking around Finch Farm before the players came back for pre-season. Eric Myles 6 Posted 06/12/2014 at 07:58:10 He must be as good a smooth talking bullshitter to the players as he is in the press conferences. David Chait 7 Posted 06/12/2014 at 09:09:48 Monaco had already spent €45M on Rodriguez before he went to Real Madrid. I don't think Real's investment in 3D flat screens can take too much credit. Aidy Dews 8 Posted 06/12/2014 at 09:12:53 In time, Besic is gonna prove to be some bargain! He's got a great attitude and with that he's going to go far. Still only 22 and let's not forget he's only been playing as a defensive midfielder for around about a year so he's a work in progress in that position but in time he will be a cracking holding midfield player.He's got all the attributes, defensive awareness, can sniff out danger, positional sense, aggression, loves getting stuck in and he can play as well! Him and McCarthy in a couple of years are gonna be some partnership in the heart of our midfield! Brin Williams 9 Posted 06/12/2014 at 09:41:37 'So you don't think he could have seen Besic do a job in the World Cup while watching the match on TV? 'Obviously not – read what the lad said "I knew literally nothing about Everton but after speaking with the manager I decided this was the club I wanted to join," The operative words here are 'speaking with the manager'. You can't do that sitting on your arse on a couch!! Paul Andrews 11 Posted 06/12/2014 at 09:52:39 David Barks,That’s a simple one to answer.During a TV game the camera follows the ball.Not very helpful if you want to scout a player. Tom Edwards 12 Posted 06/12/2014 at 10:18:04 "I knew literally nothing about Everton". Shows you how we are simply not marketed around the world! Colin Glassar 13 Posted 06/12/2014 at 10:30:58 So managers don't need to go to games to watch players? I suppose they can watch them on MotD or Football First or even better, on Football Manager or Fifa 2015!!! Fucking incredible some of the ignorance spouted on here by the haters. Ray Roche 14 Posted 06/12/2014 at 11:00:14 Some managers sign players after only watching them on video. Would anyone on here buy a second hand car after only seeing it in a photo? Don't think so...I do agree, though, that our pre-season was a shambles, whether that was down to Martinez watching hot totty on Copacabana beach is open to debate. Colin Glassar 15 Posted 06/12/2014 at 11:28:53 Like ginger bought Krøldrup, Ray? Or Fergie bought Bebe? Nothing like watching a player in the flesh as everyone looks great on YouTube.I agree, our pre-season was poor but most of our players were away on international duty so who was there to work with in the summer? Ossie? Distin? Nessie? And some of the kids I suppose. Harold Matthews 16 Posted 06/12/2014 at 12:26:49 Thrilled to bits with this lad. Still learning but a great capture. Brent Stephens 17 Posted 06/12/2014 at 13:39:27 “I always fancied a move to England... but I don't believe I have produced anything like my best yet, only around 50% so far... I am getting used to the pace of the game as well as getting stronger through gym work. When I came to England I could see that I was a little bit skinny compared to others, so I am trying to build up weight and strength. I need a bit more time but I hope in another half year when I am really well settled in the league then my quality will come out."Jeez, I love this guy now. If he he's only 50% now and improves 100% I'll be ecstatic! Colin Glassar 18 Posted 06/12/2014 at 13:53:43 He's a bit on the skinny side so with a few more pounds I can see him play defensive MF and/or CB with ease. Richard Reeves 19 Posted 06/12/2014 at 14:09:27 The lad is quality and a bargain and is only going to get better. I love his attitude as well, reminds me of footballers from another decade. Future Captain, I reckon. Ian Glassey 20 Posted 06/12/2014 at 15:20:40 I think the lad will be a great signing. He has got good skills and that nasty streak all great players have. Paul Dark 21 Posted 06/12/2014 at 16:33:46 Besic is one of the (few) highlights of the season. He will just get better - like Rom. Conor Skelly 22 Posted 07/12/2014 at 00:26:55 Have to disagree with nearly everyone on Besic. I think he's miles off. Technically gifted for sure but way too rough around the edges for this level. It's hard to describe and I hope I'm wrong. I was about Naismith. Steve Orchard 23 Posted 07/12/2014 at 00:39:16 Sorry, Conor, but I do think youÂ’re wrong; I think Besic should be getting as much game time as possible. Barry isnÂ’t gonna last much past this season and I donÂ’t see why Mo canÂ’t be that player that plays so well defensively for Bosnia. We have all seen what I did against Messi and Bale and he could do that for us if played in right way. He has got that edge, he was telling that little prick Nasri where to go in the first half as well and I donÂ’t think he will take too much shit from other teams – something we have been crying out for years for. Lee Courtliff 24 Posted 07/12/2014 at 11:42:44 Big fan already. I think he won me over in pre-season with that flick (not so much the one against Chelsea).Fair points about 'rough edges' and he has a lot to work on but I think next season he will be a really big player for us.Barry is below par at the moment and so I would be quite happy with a Besic and McCarthy (when fit) midfield. Conor Skelly 25 Posted 07/12/2014 at 11:31:50 I agree that we do lack a nasty bastard in there and I like the idea of Besic getting stuck in. But a few nice slide tackles doesn't make a player. I find him too unpredictable but at the same time too predictable with his passing. He's the type of player who could have a great game but at any moment do something really unprofessional like against Chelsea. His short passing is unsure and sloppy at times. I see a good player there but just not at this level yet. I think we really miss Mccarthy which to me, says it all. Brent Stephens 26 Posted 07/12/2014 at 12:21:00 Conor #25 "I think we really miss Mccarthy which to me, says it all."Does that mean you don't particularly rate McCarthy? Or he so good that his return is mainly what's needed? Conor Skelly 27 Posted 07/12/2014 at 12:44:40 I mean we miss Mccarthy because Besic is nowhere near an adequate replacement. Just look how tired Barry has looked without Jimmy doing all his graft. With Mccarthy doing the graft it allows Barry more time to breath and pick a pass. When Barry has to work it shows and his passing becomes tired and careless. I would be interested to see how Besic does with Mccarthy but based on what I've seen so far of Besic I'm unsure whether they would have the right balance as a pairing. Time will tell. Brent Stephens 28 Posted 07/12/2014 at 12:59:32 Thanks, Conor. I wasn't sure. Frank Crewe 29 Posted 07/12/2014 at 13:02:04 @Steve Orchard. If Barry doesn't last much beyond this season that will be a big blow considering he still has two more seasons to go on his contract.Besic has to play as much as possible and we need to get rid of all the over 30 deadwood at the first opportunity. Colin Glassar 30 Posted 07/12/2014 at 13:09:59 Conor, the lad admits it himself that he has a hell of a lot to learn but surely you can see the potential he has? He has been put into a team low on confidence where no one wants to take responsibility and there's no leadership shown by the senior players. You have to remember that he's come from the Hungarian league which is about league 2 level straight into prem. I think he's done fine so far and will only get better with time. A Besic, McCarthy, Barkley MF trio is a mouthwatering prospect IMO. Conor Skelly 31 Posted 07/12/2014 at 14:16:22 No problem, Brent. I think that the last few weeks have shown what most of us already knew. That James McCarthy is our most important player. Colin I do see a player in there but there was a player in Beckford too. I hope I'm proven wrong. Like most skillful players, If he reaches his "potential " he will be awesome but he will need time. Maybe more than we can give him. 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 © ToffeeWeb