Reports claim fee agreed for Funes Mori

, 18 August, 87comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton have agreed a fee of around 5m for Argentine defender Ramiro Funes Mori according to a number of sources.

The Blues have been linked with the 24-year-old over the past 10 days but outlets ranging from Varsky Sports in Argentina to Sly Italia journalist Tancredi Palmeiri are claiming that the River Plate have accepted an offer.

The reports suggest that the decision now rests with the player, a centre half who was recently called up to his country's national team.

Though he has just one cap to his name, Everton are presumably confident of securing a work permit for him.

 

Reader Comments (87)

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


Petet Henry
1 Posted 18/08/2015 at 23:22:50
Got a feeling we will suddenley get 3 players plus Lennon very quicky!!
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 18/08/2015 at 23:35:59
Only competition seems to be Villarreal and surely we can offer him a higher wage then they can.
Rob Vera
4 Posted 18/08/2015 at 23:39:27
Work permits/inevitable dragging out of the process aside, I’m excited for the addition. I know we’re Everton supporters, so if we’re not complaining about the lack of transfers, we’re prone to nitpick the ones we do get. But a young, experienced Argentina international who has won at a big club in his country for a reasonable fee? How can we not get behind the idea?

He’s got good size and seems to have a nose for the ball off of set pieces. Ready to get behind the player and happy to have some added depth (fingers crossed on Stones) and versatility for the squad.

Jason Thomas
5 Posted 18/08/2015 at 23:41:02
He's a good looking lad. Should sell loads of ladies shirts with his name on!
Mike Gaynes
6 Posted 18/08/2015 at 23:53:01
Well, his adjustment to the EPL should be quicker than most South Americans, because he speaks fluent English... he grew up in the US and played his youth soccer in Dallas.

He was a starter for a River Plate side that won the Copa Libertadores a couple of weeks ago. He's a regular for one of the top teams in Argentina and always goes the full 90, so that says something I guess. He also scores some goals out of the back, usually on set pieces. However, he hasn't been in the league squad in a month, and I haven't been able to find out why.

He has an identical twin brother named Rogelio who plays in Mexico for Monterrey, and my friend from Monterrey says Rogelio is much the better player of the two.

Charlie Burnett
7 Posted 18/08/2015 at 00:00:25
I’m going to be honest with this one: I traveled South America in March and got the chance to watch and experience a game of River Plate.

The standard of the game wasn’t good at all, very slow football and I don’t know if this guy was playing but no-one stood out for me as amazing.

It was like a lower Championship or League One standard of the game. Positive note: some good players have come from the league and been big players.
Paul Jeronovich
8 Posted 18/08/2015 at 00:01:37
Hopefully he will provide much needed back up to Jags and Stones if the transfer goes through.
Colin Glassar
9 Posted 18/08/2015 at 00:01:53
He’s also used to the pressure of playing in front of 67,000 screaming fans in the Estadio Monumental (I’ve been there and it’s insane) and winning trophies.

At £5m, I think it’s a risk worth taking. He’s got the skill, build, height etc... apparently he needs to improve his concentration.

ps: I can’t believe Spurs are letting Fazio go for just £8m. He was superb with Seville but the merry-go-round at WHL didn’t seem to suit him.

Kristian Boyce
11 Posted 19/08/2015 at 00:11:23
I thought that he had an Italian passport, which was reported in a couple of reports.
David Hallwood
12 Posted 19/08/2015 at 00:31:57
I’m sure the journos will say that he’s a ’replacement’ for Stones when of course he’ll replace Distin & Alcaraz. Investigate journalism -- doncha just love it?
Andy Crooks
13 Posted 19/08/2015 at 00:41:23
I would prefer an experienced Premier League player. However, if Roberto really does have a long-term plan, then this appears to be the right man for it.
Ernie Baywood
14 Posted 19/08/2015 at 00:50:41
This makes me nervous. I know it's a bit lazy to think of a South American centre back as being a bit, erm, unreliable. But how many times is it true?

And of course the other thing that makes me nervous is that he should be an addition to the squad (replacing Alcaraz and Distin) but there's always a chance that he could be a replacement for an existing first teamer.

John Daley
15 Posted 19/08/2015 at 01:05:34
I hope all those street traders around the ground recognise the merchandising gold mine this guy represents. Fuck Fellaini wigs. I can hear them now shouting "Mori’s wigs don’t come off. Even underwater."
Ryan Rosenberg
16 Posted 19/08/2015 at 01:14:21
Prepared to give him a chance, but a lot of South American journalists believe he is nowhere near Premier League standard. I don’t understand why we wouldn’t pay an extra £3mil for Van Dijk.
Minik Hansen
17 Posted 19/08/2015 at 01:25:26
I hope for the sake of the likes of Oviedo and Deulofeu our latino speaking players, that Ramiro Funes Mori will join our club! That way, there will be more comfort for them being here. Of course no wonder our manager helps a lot.
Nicholas Ryan
19 Posted 19/08/2015 at 01:53:23
So we're finally signing Rambo Funsize Moron!!
Harold Matthews
20 Posted 19/08/2015 at 06:13:59
I don’t know anything about this guy but top South American journo Tim Vickery says he’s rubbish and that worries me.

What’s wrong with Van Dijk, Dragovic or the 6’- 5" beast, Koulibaly? What’s wrong with Ben Gibson, the left sided England U21 partner of Stones? Very strong, very intelligent and a born leader.

We’re asking sky-high money for a player but seek to replace him with a cheap Argentinian? Sorry, I find this very difficult to believe.

Phil Sammon
21 Posted 19/08/2015 at 06:37:26
I don't think this is a replacement for Stones, Harold.

I'd also add that Tim Vickery is a tit. He's about as knowledgeable on South American football as the likes of Mark Lawrenson is here in England.

He just happens to be the only English correspondent weird enough to want to watch that shite all day.

Sean Dullard
23 Posted 19/08/2015 at 06:50:32
Fingers crossed we will get the lad, then add Yarmolenko fast before sniffers sniff again!

COYB

Stephen Brown
24 Posted 19/08/2015 at 06:58:18
John Daley - perhaps the fans group can employ Jimmy Conway to get the money out of Bill?! Using a telephone wire!
Tony Abrahams
25 Posted 19/08/2015 at 07:18:30
Funny John, I often wonder if Dennis Lawrence, is Stacks?

Ste, that's what Green, and Earl, must threaten Bill, with, every time he asks for some money!

Colin Glassar
26 Posted 19/08/2015 at 07:23:48
Ernie 12, you are obviously of a nervous disposition. Have you been to the doctor? There are all sorts of remedies out there that can help.
Sam Hoare
27 Posted 19/08/2015 at 07:33:03
I have read a few reports on this guy that suggest that he is a good athlete; quick, strong and with a god leap but is not the smartest tool in the shed.

I think we have to trust the scouting team here but £5m is a relatively small amount for a CB and at 24 he’s got lots of time to learn from the likes of Jags.

He’s coming as back up and will vie with Browning to be 3rd choice. With any luck, Jags and Stones will stay fit so we won’t need him too much.

Harold Matthews
28 Posted 19/08/2015 at 07:47:17
Yes Phil. You may be right. Tim Vickery did say that Forlan had good movement but couldn't shoot.
Colin Glassar
30 Posted 19/08/2015 at 08:03:59
Tim Vickery is based in Brasil and is not a qualified journalist. He’s been living in Brasil for years and started freelancing for different fanzines. As the only Brit out there writing about football, he was eventually picked up by the BBC to be their Latin American "correspondent".

I’m not saying this disqualifies him but basically he’s just like any one of us, ie, an amateur bullshitter.

Ian Cowhig
31 Posted 19/08/2015 at 08:28:41
Out of the two CBs gone. RM believes he has enough cover with Galloway and Browning. So one to replace.

Everyone would also prefer Van Dijk, Dragovic Koulibaly. But the problem is if he brings anyone of them in, then they should be starters, not back up. We have not got Europe to warrant rotation. So Mori suits what we need. If we buy any of the others, then this will worry me regarding Stones’s future.

David Chait
32 Posted 19/08/2015 at 08:29:06
Tyias Browning.. hope you enjoyed your time in the preseason sun. Yes you were the stand out performer and have done well every time we have seen you. Sure you might be "the best one on one defender in the club". But I’m sure you will be happy to continue to sit on the bench and develop on the training pitch. But hey you are the best club in the land for promoting our own talent so hold tight and be grateful

Browning must go out on loan in my opinion. The manager wont trust that he has the necessary experience to be the first choice back up until he has games under his belt and he won't get games under his belt until he is the first choice back up. What to do?

This Mori chap better be bloody brilliant.

Eivind Nyhus
33 Posted 19/08/2015 at 08:41:20
David #27 Browning looked promising in preseason, but I think you might be giving him a bit too much credit. I doubt he's ready to step up if our main guys get injured.

I hope this Mori character is a good player, but I had never heard of him before he was mentioned in the transfer gossips.

Bill Griffiths
34 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:08:42
Bit of a tricky one this. My initial reaction was if this is one of the 3 major signings RM is referring to then I am totally underwhelmed.

Thinking about it, it may be a good bit of business. He's young, got potential maybe and £5m is not a lot of money these days and he's obviously signed as cover at the back rather than a regular starter. As a couple of others have indicated some of the players we have been linked to and that certain posters on here want to sign, would only sign if certain of regular starts. I'd rather go down this road and keep Stones.

Darren Bailey
35 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:11:54
I think Tyias Browning will be just as much RB cover as CB cover and the same can be said for Galloway at LB. We currently have 8 defenders at the club with good versatility but one of them is Hibbert and two of them have very little Premier League experience so another body is definitely needed. Unfortunately I’m not so sure that he’s the right one.

I don’t know much about him but, as many of you do, I have doubts about the South American aspect of this. Okay, he’s an international but he’s only got one cap and that was in a friendly against El Salvador where I’m sure the manager didn’t want to risk his first choice. I'm not convinced-even for £5m as if he doesn’t work out that’s still £5m down the drain and we can’t afford to do that.

A more domestic experienced player would have been preferred and I know lots of people wouldn’t want him but Evans would fit the bill. If you’re going to take a gamble then Van Dijk, Koulibaly and Dragovic are the choice and if not them then this fella could be considered. I’m sure he’s not first choice target and fear he’ll be another Alcaraz.

My preference, as always, is to stick with the youngsters as more game time = more experience = better development. Browning and Galloway for me as this bloke will need a long time to get used to the Premier League. Sorry but I have my doubts, no deal for me.

Mike Allison
36 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:16:44
Totally underwhelmed by this signing. There’s not much reason to think he’s any good to be honest. Stracqualursi could easily be the level we’re talking about. I looked up Mauro Boselli who Martinez signed at Wigan, and that didn’t make good reading.

As I said on another thread, good South Americans rarely make it to the age of 24 in their own league. However, I have always believed that there can be late developers, Drogba is an excellent example, but that’s more of a clutch at a straw than anything else.

Van Dijk is the man for me, but I’d rather have any of the other players Harold mentions earlier or that we’ve been linked with lately. Here’s hoping I’m completely wrong.

John Crawley
37 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:20:58
David 27 I agree with the general point you are making. This is why the FA tightened up the work permit rules to stop average or below average foreign players coming I and blocking development of young English players. Players like Pennington, Browning, Galloway etc.

We may get round the work permit issue if he’s got an Italian passport but we shouldn’t be signing players of this standard and blocking youngsters' development. We either need to sign an old pro who can help these youngsters come through or someone who’s better than Jagielka.

Sam Hoare
38 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:28:20
I think the likes of Van Dijk and Dragovic will cost at least twice as much as this lad and would probably only come if they were to be first choice which they wouldn't be.

This guy is very much coming to play back up and so it's a different thing we are looking at. If Dragovic is seen at Finch Farm then you an bet your bottom dollar that it's because Stones is on his way out so be careful what you wish for.....

Jim Lloyd
39 Posted 19/08/2015 at 09:45:52
I think it's a good move if true. I don't see the point in getting an "old pro" as cover. We are building a young squad and this lad or Tyas, may well replace Jagielka when the time comes, with the other acting as cover.

What is the point of spending maga bucks on Van Dijk unless he is a replacement for John Stones; and as the club have said we aren't selling John Boy, then this lad looks a good addition to our squad.

I just hope it's true that we're going for Yarmalenko but we'll probably have to wait for the last day of the window to find out.

Denis Richardson
40 Posted 19/08/2015 at 10:29:57
A new addition is always good and we've got to give him a chance. Although I have to admit I have no clue how we can can get a Work Permit for a 24-year-old with 1 cap.

I thought the ’potential’ argument for Work Permits could only really be used for players much younger. Still, the system is dodgey enough with so many South Americans having Spanish, Portuguese or Italian passports that miraculously appear when they’re moving to Europe.

Dodgey Work Permit or not, if he can play then great. Good age too. Still not signed though...

Matt Traynor
41 Posted 19/08/2015 at 10:46:19
Denis #35, Everton have been caught out by this before. A few years back Derby signed an Ecuadorean (I think) on a Spanish passport, which turned out to be fake when inspected as he was returning from international duty. Esteban Fuertes I think he was. Promptly kicked out, and Derby recovered the £3m+ they paid for him.

Of course he scored only the one goal in his short time with the Rams. Turned out to be the winner. Can you guess against which team? Wonder if it'd been a CL chasing team whether they'd have replayed the match? Or if it was RS just gifted them the 3 points, and another 10 by way of apology...

Jermaine Jennings
42 Posted 19/08/2015 at 10:48:42
Please, please, please... not Lennon -- that would be a bad permanent signing and I would be hugely upset. He has never fulfilled his potential at Spurs for 10 years and clearly isn’t good enough for them but how is he now good enough for us after his loan period? Players always play well on loan periods, especially when they know they are not wanted.
Daniel Lawrence
43 Posted 19/08/2015 at 10:52:30
And it's taken all summer to capture this bang average defender....?
Richard Reeves
44 Posted 19/08/2015 at 11:04:26
Disappointing if true. Browning is more than capable of taking that position and is part of the "Golden Generation" as Martinez puts it (which I agree).

At 21 and after the performance’s he’s been putting in, he should be first choice cover for Stones. He could be not to far away from Stones in ability if given the chance and that would be fantastic for the manager to have as backup or to take over in that position if Stones wanted to move on in a couple of years. He needs that experience now and not in another division.

Filip Lillevars
45 Posted 19/08/2015 at 11:14:07
I know YouTube makes the worst Sunday League player look good. This one, however, is his highlights from only 2014-15. And I doubt many other central defenders can get a YouTube video with that many goals.

He seems to be a great aerial threat and even hooked a great free kick in. That is at least something, more than most other central defenders that are available at least.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deGwhEV6sc0

Peter Gorman
46 Posted 19/08/2015 at 11:18:40
Pretty clear none of us know much about him and honestly £5 million is a snip for a senior player (with an international cap). He could be as wretched as Alcaraz but £5mil wouldn’t be the end of the world if he was.

Regarding Browning and Galloway, I think the sensible thing is to keep them as fullbacks for the time being until they get used to the team, the fans and the league. We did this with Stones and Lescott before him. They will both eventually be centre-backs but there is too much tactically going on there for us to expect them to play well or often over the course of a season.

Colin Grierson
47 Posted 19/08/2015 at 11:38:16
Who knows how he will do? I hope he's good but I'll reserve judgement. He gets my backing as soon as he pulls on the shirt.
Phil Vickery's opinion is not the opinion of a scout. I had a chat with a scout recently and the way they view players is very different to how we watch the game. I include Vickery in the 'we' category as he's just a fan living in Brazil really.
Tony Abrahams
48 Posted 19/08/2015 at 11:55:25
Interesting Colin. How do they view players?
Harold Matthews
49 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:00:59
Yes Peter. Very good point with regard to Browning and Galloway. I seem to remember Smalling committing umpteen errors at RB and CB in his early years but what a terrific defender he has now turned out to be.
Tom Bowers
50 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:11:56
If this is true then it’s what we need provided he isn’t erratic.

Experienced cover for Jags and Stones is very limited although Galloway and Browning might do a job under the right circumstances.

James Stewart
51 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:23:32
Vickery while annoying does back a lot of successful exports correctly.

I've only seen this guy play a couple of times but he didn't impress at all. I would rather give Browning a go personally. Martinez stated last season he was ready for first team football and he looked excellent in pre season.

Nicholas Ryan
52 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:23:35
I don’t know anything about this guy, but; we appear to have pursued him vigorously, for quite some time. Therefore, presumably, he has been watched ’in the flesh’ as well as on videos etc by people who know what they are looking for. His club has just won the major cup competition in South America [Libertadores].

I gather his international cap was recent, so it is not that he is a ’one cap wonder’ but, rather, that his career is just beginning. I don’t think you get to play for Argentina, even once, if you are a Championship level ’also-ran’.

ps: Has anyone thought of asking ’The Stracq’ what he knows?!

Harold Matthews
53 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:51:29
Vickery is my favourite Football reporter. Overseas or at home.
Jon Withey
54 Posted 19/08/2015 at 12:56:34
Even with Jagielka, Stones, Browning, Galloway, [Hibbert], [Barry] - we still need a senior centre-back and £5mil won’t break the bank and it’s what we’d pay for a decent Championship defender anyway.

If Stones goes, clearly a more established European league replacement would be needed.

Thomas Surgenor
55 Posted 19/08/2015 at 13:12:02
As mentioned many times, I too would prefer to see Browning/Galloway make there mistakes this season so that we are fully equipped for next.
Browning, however, may not have the mental character for the first team yet. I've read from various sources that he doesn't believe that he is ready or as good as Unsworth thinks.

However, I do believe we are in a position to adopt a transfer policy where by any new additions must improve the starting 11. This would mean Mori is a no go for us.

We football fans are most definitely fickle. Since Martinez signed on the dotted line we have been hoping for an influx of South American talent. Now that we may be getting one, many (inc myself) aren't over the moon about it.

Mark Riding
56 Posted 19/08/2015 at 13:18:57
Thomas #48. I've not heard that about Browning, you sure you've got the right player ?
Our under 21 game against Liverpool is on sky sports 1 tonight btw. Worth checking out.
Mike Allison
57 Posted 19/08/2015 at 13:54:17
Jim (34), and some others. Van Dijk or Dragovic wouldn't be a replacement for John Stones, but a long term replacement for Jagielka. He turned 33 this week and we need to get someone in for the first XI to play alongside Stones over the next two or three years. If you buy 'back-up' players, you end up with second rate players.
Mike Allison
58 Posted 19/08/2015 at 13:56:44
Was his cap in a proper side or one of those friendlies where they only pick players from the Argentinian league?

By the way, I'm fairly sure Fuertes was Argentinian and was mentioned in the thing I read about Boselli earlier.

Mark Riding
59 Posted 19/08/2015 at 13:59:12
Like Leon's england cap Mike ?
Peter Gorman
60 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:01:46
I've always been a little fearful that Browning would not have the mentality to break through as he does give the impression, like Lundstram, of not being overly confident. Don't know why, just the way he came across playing for the England youth teams though he hasn't been a disappointment for us at all. Like I mentioned, his confidence can grow at fullback for now and when he is ready he can move inside.

Harold, not sure if you are being sarcastic there or I am just reading too much into it after last nights debate with my Utd housemate who claims Smalling is great at defending (not on the ball) and therefore they wouldn't need somebody as (ahem) "over-rated" as Stones. Needless to say, I think he doesn't know what he is talking about.

Andrew Ellams
61 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:02:33
Not a full side but by no means a poor side either, this Argentina's starting XI for Mori's soul cap so far. Messi was a non playing sub.
Argentina
4-1-4-1
21 Nahuel Guzman
4 Pablo Zabaleta
17 Mateo Musacchio
25 Ramiro Funes Mori
15 Lucas Orban
19 Ever Banega
7 Angel di Maria
24 Roberto Pereyra
23 Carlos Tevez
22 Ezequiel Lavezzi
9 Gonzalo Higuain
Mike Allison
62 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:11:50
No Mark, Argentina export nearly all of their best players to other leagues, and occasionally play games where all of those players are not considered. It's more of a league select XI and not really comparable to when Osman played for England. If Osman had played for England in a game where England's 50-100 or so best players weren't considered, then maybe.

Anyway, Andrew has found the answer and allayed those fears somewhat.

Peter Gorman
63 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:15:15
Leon got two caps Mark, both fully deserved. One was even in a competitive game against the mighty San Marino.
Mike Childs
64 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:21:51
To put a positive spin on it by paying only 5 mil for this guy as opposed to 10 plus for the other guys mentioned this should leave more in the kitty to make the majorities' desire of Yarmelenko a reality?
Mark Riding
65 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:25:35
Memo to self. Don't joke about Leon on TW.
Matt Traynor
66 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:28:34
Mike #53, you're right. He was Argentinian, and it was a hooky Italian passport not Spanish. To cap it all, Derby actually made half a million profit on him when they flogged him on to bloody Lens in France!
Phil Walling
67 Posted 19/08/2015 at 14:45:07
He must be good, he's foreign -- and from Messiland to boot! But you do have to wonder if anyone from Everton who could compare/contrast his skills as against those of Browning and Galloway has actually ever seen him play.

Additionally, I thought such signings HAD to be established internationals who had played in their country's last so many games. Although he's probably got Spanish antecedents -- the sort you can bribe any local government official to dig out for you!

I bet there are a dozen in the lower leagues here who are just as good.

Richard Reeves
68 Posted 19/08/2015 at 15:01:07
I see Galloway as a natural successor to Jagielka, not for a couple of years or more if Jags can keep up to his usual standards but eventually Galloway will move into that position, similar to what Lescott did although he was already an established centre back.

He’s done a good job on the left so far but with more experience and filling out a bit more (which I think he’s done a bit lately from what I saw of him at the Southampton game) he will move into that position and allow the more natural left back in Garbutt to take his rightful place so long as Garbutt puts in the work. It could also be similar to the Lescott situation when Baines finally got his chance.

Andrew Presly
69 Posted 19/08/2015 at 15:09:33
He's just played in, scored in and won the Copa Libatadores with River, hence the timing. That's a certain pedigree even if the lad is definitely getting mixed reviews from those who've seen him.

I'm on board with this even if only for the Goodfellas link.

Richard Reeves
70 Posted 19/08/2015 at 15:11:45
Thomas (#50), I don’t know if that is true that he lacks confidence but I have had that impression before. It might have something to do with seeing him in interviews where he seems like a thoughtful and polite person (which are good qualities to have).

If it is true I hope someone can convince him of his ability because he looks like one hell of a defender in the making to me and because of his character and being a die hard blue I desperately want him to succeed.
Kyle Lombardo
71 Posted 19/08/2015 at 15:26:32
I see this as a substitute move. Sure he can back up if we have an injury. However he is a very offensive minded CB. Perfect for those situations where we are down a goal with few minutes left, such as a certain situation where a CB bailed us out at the derby last year... I like it, it gives us a depth we don't have. Here's to hoping it happens.
Andy Walker
72 Posted 19/08/2015 at 15:57:04
I don’t know if Tim Vickery is a decent reporter or not, but then how do you compare the abilities of those working in the media? What I do know is that he must watch an awful lot more live South American football than most (all?) of us. That in itself makes him more qualified to comment on this guys abilities than most, including me. Has anyone seen this guy play live, or at least watched 90 mins on the TV. and could provide an educated opinion?

Vickery made the point that he felt he wasn’t quick or strong enough for the EPL. Only his opinion I know but he doesn’t usually express such negativity. I do remember his assessment of Aguero when Man City were buying him, when he said he was the best striker to ever come out of South America and play in England. He was quite OTT, at least that’s what I thought at the time... In hindsight, he was spot on.

Alan Thompson
73 Posted 19/08/2015 at 16:01:51
While he signed a lot of players, it makes you wonder just how good Harry Catterick was at knowing when "juniors" were ready.
Nick Page
74 Posted 19/08/2015 at 16:08:18
Well Vickery has just been on TalkSport, said he hopes he’s wrong but he’s a duffer and reminded of the last almighty South American clanger that came here..... called Mauro Boselli and guess who bought him!?
Sam Hoare
75 Posted 19/08/2015 at 17:41:36
In other news it looks like Song will be returning to West Ham and Newcastle have splashed £12m on a winger. How much have they spent this Summer? £45m + without selling anyone.....
Dave Ganley
79 Posted 19/08/2015 at 18:40:36
Yeah Nick #68 I listened to the same Tim Vickery piece on TS. Not very positive at all. He was also saying the Argentinian league is not a very good standard at the moment so is living on reputation hence the players can come across as okay but when faced with quality players will struggle.

You’d like to think Martinez had done some homework on this guy but, if Vickery is to be believed, perhaps not...

Colin Grierson
80 Posted 20/08/2015 at 10:06:42
Tony Abrahams @ 48.

Regardless of where the ball is on the pitch, this scout looks only at the player he is scouting. He may pick up on whoever is marking him or whoever he is marking, but the focus, for the entire game is on that player. That way he takes in positional play off the ball, concentration levels and fitness levels. I tried to do it when watching a game and it is interesting but I only lasted about 10 mins and started watching the game.

I heard Vickery on TS yesterday and he was scathing about Fines Mori. The fact that he has no vested interest other than his reputation is a worry. Heads some worrying comparisons too with another failed chi bought by someone at Wigan.

Colin Grierson
81 Posted 20/08/2015 at 10:09:00
Failed chi is not a cup of tea but a cb
Sam Hoare
82 Posted 20/08/2015 at 10:23:15
Colin do you mean Alcaraz, who was actaully a success at Wigan relatively speaking, or perhaps Boselli, who was neither chi nor CB but a striker who cost £6.5m after getting his first few caps for Argentina but then didn't get a single goal for Wigan? He was an undoubted flop and signifies the risk of buying 'stars' of the Argentinian league.

One would think Martinez would be very wary of making such a mistake again and that we will only buy this lad if they have REALLY done their homework on him.


Keith Harrison
83 Posted 20/08/2015 at 10:55:26
Memo to MR, 60. Don't joke about Leon. Ever.
Andy Codling
84 Posted 20/08/2015 at 11:03:11
Are we purposely waiting to the last minute? How come other clubs just get things done? I'm tired of Everton's bullshit!
Andrew Ellams
85 Posted 20/08/2015 at 11:09:19
People have been crying out for Martinez to unearth some unkown gems in South America since he came to the club. Now he has the chance to bring somebody in it's all negativity on here.
Mike Allison
86 Posted 20/08/2015 at 11:21:01
Andy (76), fans of all clubs see their own club as taking too long to sign players and moan about their transfers becoming 'sagas'. You are only aware of the Everton ones as they develop, so to you it seems like other clubs sign players out of thin air.

If and when we announce Mori and/or Yarmolenko, fans of other clubs will think we've pulled it off quickly, as they haven't followed the story for the previous week, fortnight or month.

Mike Allison
87 Posted 20/08/2015 at 11:27:22
Andrew (77), because no-one is that unknown any more and the man we're most used to listening to or reading about South American football has expressed quite strong negative opinions.

All this when we've been linked with some top quality, or high potential European centre backs who we'd much rather buy. Also, at £5.5M he's not exactly a bargain is he? The golden rule of transfers is only sign players who are better than what you've got (or will be in the future), this guy doesn't seem to fit the bill, so it's a completely underwhelming transfer.

We all hope we're wrong by the way, but as I said earlier, if you back-up players, you end up with second rate players. Add to this that it seems he needs a work permit and doesn't qualify for one, and it's not exactly the signing to appease the unsettled fans.

Sam, Boselli did score for Wigan, but not in a league game.

Tony Abrahams
88 Posted 20/08/2015 at 11:37:24
Thanks Colin, I was genuinely interested in the methods of a scout. Not sure how this would work better, because like you, I'd sooner watch the game.

Like the rest of us, I don't know anything about Mori, but if someone who watches him can be so uncomplimentary, then I would bet my bottom dollar, that he won't be ready for Everton's first team just yet.

Give him time to acclimatise and hopefully the fellas on the corner will make an absolute fortune with " MORI'S WIGS". Thanks John!

Colin Grierson
89 Posted 20/08/2015 at 12:02:54
Sam, my mistake, I was referring to Boselli. I don't remember him at all which is probably telling in itself. I heard his name mentioned as a flop bought by Vickery when RM brought him to Wigan and was referencing that. Thanks for putting me straight.

I'm hoping that we are waiting for Celtic to go out of the CL and then nip in and get Dick Van Dyke.

Matt Ostnes
91 Posted 20/08/2015 at 14:05:59
Hi guys, from Argentina. I'll start following the Everton season to see how Ramiro or FM6 (as the River Platte fans like to call him) develops in the Premier League.

My prediction about FM6: He will struggle a little bit to adapt to a new defensive system and a different playing style but, sooner than later, he will be a starter. He’s a fearless defender and he has all the qualities to be a solid Premier League player.

Cheers!

Jamie Tulacz
92 Posted 20/08/2015 at 17:20:35
Have read elsewhere in the Independent that we may be in for Dante from Bayern Munich... For £6.5m would seem much better value imo.
James Stewart
93 Posted 20/08/2015 at 17:23:15
I hope you're wrong, Jamie. Dante is an absolute car crash of a defender avoid at all cost.
Phil Roberts
94 Posted 20/08/2015 at 17:55:14
What is it with this obsession with defenders who score goals? No offence Filip (40) but I am not interested in defenders who score goals. I want my defenders to stop goals, because that is what they are there to do. I want a 10 minute uTube of them making tackles, clearing headers, great interceptions, crunching the living daylights of our attackers, throwing their bodies in the way of goal bound shots, making up 5 yards in 20 to nick the ball off a breakaway forward, covering on the line.

We have strikers to score the goals, and if these defenders are good at that, then why the heck are we playing them as defenders and not as a forward as they seem to be better at doing that job and better at it than the ones we have got.

When BBC or Sky eventually have Tony Hibbert as a pundit then I look forward to his stats on the screen Played 297 times for Everton - Tackles made 2,867. Shots saved on the line 45.

He is a defender, who gives anything about how many times he scored a goal, that is not what he is there to do.

Stephen Brown
95 Posted 20/08/2015 at 18:31:57
I agree Phil #84. Stats don't always give you a real indication of a players success. Even goals scored can be misleading. I'm sure Peter Crouch has a shed load of goals for England mostly against terrible opposition.
Steve Ferns
96 Posted 20/08/2015 at 20:07:39
I have to say I’m a massive fan of Tim Vickery, both reading his BBC website column and listening to the 5 Live World Football phone-in (by podcast of course - it’s on at silly o’clock). I also read him in World Soccer mag, having long been interested in football further afield.

I read Colin #25 say he’s not a qualified Journalist, well I fail to see how 3 years at Uni and a stint working for the Sun would make him a better journalist than he is. I often read the discarded papers on a Monday and wonder which game these fools watched.

What marks Vickery out to me as a man to listen to is his analysis of the game and the players. In particular he often picks out players he’s seen at the Under-17 World Cup, and other rising stars of Latin America. His greatest pleasure, he often says, is discovering a future great, long before we are aware of them. I read above about Aguero and echo this. Forlan is someone he’s often gushed about, as well as Juan Seba Veron.

Now two of the most relevant analysis for me are Straq and Boselli. On Boselli Vickery said this, "I was contacted by a certain Premier League coach for advice. His agent was busy going around with DVD’s cut to make him look like the great Gabriel Batistuta. I just told him to keep hold of his money." He went on to say that he is a front to goal type of striker with no real back to goal skills and so didn’t think that he would make it in the Premier League. In other words, he needs the opposition defence to play high up the pitch and for a Veron to hit inch perfect passes over the top, and it proved right with his dismal time at Wigan.

On Straqualursi: "The first thing you think of when you assess a South American footballer’s suitability for the Premier League is the physicality, and he is built for English football. That is not going to be a problem. He is also competent on the ground and he scores goals in the air. But you have to say there are other questions that he will need to answer and it is nothing to do with this particular player or this transfer. It is just historically there are challenges when you move directly from South America to England."

The other thing to note is that Vickery was critical of Mori well in advance of Everton’s interest. In reporting on the Libatadores (The South America version of the Champions League), Vickery talked repeatedly about the 'cult of Mori' and how he’d got a far enhanced reputation than his skill set deserved. He also picked him out repeatedly as the weak link in the River side in the Semi Finals and then the Final itself.

Hopefully Roberto learned his lesson on South American players with Boselli and will do his due diligence this time around, but then again, £5m is not a lot of money, Jags and Stones are not the most injury prone players, and there’s no European football to worry about, so perhaps a good long period on the bench will give Mori an opportunity to adapt to the English game in the reserves / U21s.


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