Funes Mori wants more playing time

Prone to panic and decision-making not always the best. Passing pretty average, tackling reasonable but not that good... decent header of the ball, but more in attack than defence!

He doesn't fill me with confidence so I won't be too bothered if he moves on, but cover is the issue, although Holgate has looked pretty assured in his appearances so far.

Understandable if he feels the need to move on for the continuity.

If good international players don't want to sit on the bench while they see their counterparts playing out of their skin, will they want out?

Does that mean we can only have shit on the bench and they will be happy to be there? Err, em... we already have that!

A full Argentine international should go for a fair amount...

Whatever, we'll sell him for twice what we paid which is great for the club. If we do well this year it could crazily be on a negative transfer budget.

It's not all down to you – the coaching change and Gueye have had a major impact as well – but right now the defense looks better without you.

If you gotta go to keep your World Cup dream alive, good luck to you.

Of all the criticism that could be aimed toward him as a centre-half, that his distribution is crap is a strange thing to single out when the players he's fighting for a place against are Jagielka and Williams, both of whom are pretty poor themselves when required to stroke it about. I'm sure Funes Mori is equally as capable of simply twatting it long toward the general vicinity of wherever Bolasie might be, as seems to be the default mode of defensive 'distribution' thus far this season.

We haven't seen anywhere near enough of him, under a different manager, to determine that the liking for a dodgy pass out from the back is actually part of his defensive make up rather than the result of a Roberto Martinez instruction.

He's lucky in the sense that he has very little competition for his Argentina shirt and because of the players around him, he will always look decent.

Never been a huge fan, but John Daley makes a very pertinent point. It would be very wrong to judge the guy based on his performances under Martinez. He was no worse than anybody else, was he? Jags and Williams are getting no younger so he will get chances.

I think he deserves a fair hearing, I'd like to see him play under a proper manager before writing him off.

Why would we get twice what we paid for him, Martin? Apart from maybe players prices in general have risen slightly, he was a Argentine International when we bought him.

I'd sooner have him than Jags; he hasn't done much wrong in my eyes.

Why not return to your beloved Argentina, I'm sure you'll be guaranteed a start every week down there to showcase your not so obvious talents.

One drawback though. You will have to take a small pay cut. Around £50k+ a week. A price worth paying I'm sure for such a patriot.

I can understand why he wants out. Fair play to the guy that he actually wants to play football. However, we only have 3 centre-backs with any decent Premier League experience. If I were Koeman I'd ask him to see out the season and leave in the summer.

He is good in the air but doesn't offer much else, he dives in a lot and struggles to clear anything that isn't on the deck!

He couldn't lace Jagielka's or Williams's boots – they have both forgotten more than he knows about defending and are both much better players for me.

It's a shame really as, if he bided his time and learned from the pair of them, it wouldn't be long before he would be taking their place in the side.

Easily replaceable with a European centre-half; as long as we recouped the money we paid, I'd let him go tomorrow!

Jags has been a good player for Everton and puts his body on the line in every game but he is not getting any younger, so Funes Mori will get his chance sooner rather than later; then it is up to him.

Would be amazed if both Jagielka and Williams get through to January with no injury or suspension so Funes Mori is still very useful. Koeman needs to give him some minutes. It's also a long season.

In the line of players that need shifting, he's certainly not near the front.

I think Jagielka's best days are behind him and that his captaincy is a problem for us, so I'd prefer him to go if anyone has to.

Martin, although I don't know you personally, you always make me smile; you remind me of that old Talking Heads classic from years ago mate!

Well put. The only thing I disagree with is the players around Funes Mori on the Argentinian side making him look good. Otamendi is the weaker of the pairing and Funes Mori covers for him. Further, Rojo is useless defensively as a left back. He stays out wide and too far up the field and doesn't track back to cover a ball played in behind leaving Funes Mori to have to go out and cover.

The player, Mas, who also plays left back, seems a very good player and defensively better than Rojo who really should be a midfielder the way he likes to get involved in the attack.

As you say, it is hard to judge anyone based upon last year's manager and his "style of play."

Over to you mi amigo.

Argentina international who likes to play with passion, heart-on-the-sleeve type of guy. I for one like him and think he should be used a lot more.

Jags and Williams look decent, but they're ageing fast and either of them could look equally as good with Funes Mori alongside them.

Jags is getting on, and if the club really is looking to build a team over the next two years, then Jags needs to be moved out of the first 11. Let's see if Funes Mori will improve and fully adapt to the league. Him and Holgate could well be a top class back-pairing in 2 years, but without game time we'll never really know.

And those saying "Tchau, you know the way out" ... Jesus, you moan when players 'are lazy and sit around just for the salary' or are 'unambitious and just sit on bench when could be playing' or moan when they say 'I wanna play'.

He's on international duty. He's being interviewed and obviously the question comes up of his lack of game time. What do you expect him to say "Nah, I love sitting on the bench, and if I get dropped by Argentina, who gives a fuck? We're never gonna win the world Cup anyway, are we?"

Some statements are also intriguing, considering that Lukaku and Funes Mori are the only ones who are indisputable starters in top National teams. Oh, and Argentina with Funes Mori never lost a single game (you know, against teams that have Suarez, Neymar and Alexis Sanchez; I don't know if they are at the EPL level).

Personally I think he's a hard one to judge. Played under Martinez where central defenders were consistently asked to do the impossible. Unsurprisingly no-one achieved it, so hard to criticise him too much there. He was also alongside Stones which was never going to work as a partnership.

I suspect he's an EPL defender capable of holding down a spot. With us, he'll have to bide his time and earn that place. Somewhere else, maybe he would go in as first choice.

He really does look like Jerry Seinfeld.

Scored one and fouled his man in the box, giving up a penalty.

And how long do those so keen to get rid think Jagielka's ageing legs can go on? He missed a fair few games last season with soft tissue injuries and is in the twilight of his career, so, to be fair, is Williams.

Funes Mori is the type of left sided centre-back we need and I see him as a long term successor to Jags. I don't think Koeman would actually want to lose a regular Argentine international starter so I for one hope he can reassure Funes Mori that he is a big part of his plans for our future.

Please, let's remember Funes Mori is one of ours and he should be applauded for wanting to play regularly, rather than sit bench-warming and picking up a,wage for doing nothing.

Coleman, Holgate, Funes Mori, Galloway.

If they can be backed up by a real top-class goalkeeper, Everton's defence will be well sorted out.

Koeman should have a sit-down with him, they can both give their opinions and a decision made. If he's still not happy, then ship him out at the best price we can get.

Here's a thought: We could persevere with talented players, ironing-out faults as far as possible. I know it's a bit old fashioned.

Any fool can kiss his badge, especially on £50 grand a week. I'd be more impressed if he could kiss his elbow.

I like Funes Mori. Still young, plenty to learn from a good mentor (Koeman) – I like his goals – I like his passion – and I like his threat at set-pieces. If we lost him, many on here would be blathering on about '...light in defense'... 'why can't we spend on a quality defender'... 'what we need is' blah blah blah etc.

We've got a ballsy international quality defender who makes, I would say, no more no less errors than any other defender (Everton or otherwise) and to boot has got a goal or three in him.

Some of the negative crap posted on here about some of our players drives me to despair tbh... (most actually – I can't think of one current player who isn't targeted by the boo-boys at some time).

I guess we just need a team made up from a selection of T-Webbers and we would be top 4 every year.

And perfectly salient points that Funes Mori makes. Of course he needs the game time to keep his Argentina case open. I hope he gets it with us.

He simply stated that he's not happy he's not getting a game now and it's bad for his international career. That's totally being honest in my book and he believes in himself to be 1st choice.

I think South American football is very different to EPL. The fact Koeman was chasing Kone in the summer doesn't bode well for the lad so I would not be surprised if he leaves next year if Jags & Williams continue to do well.

Over here, the football is a lot more frenetic and aggressive with not much time afforded on the ball; in Spain and Italy, the emphasis is more on playing the ball and taking your time.

People are suggesting here that the styles in Europe would be more suited to Funes Mori than the football here.

Both styles have their merits but I know what I prefer to watch.

I agree with Peter (#36), and would also like to see us experiment with 3 at the back, especially if we are going to play Bolasie like we did last Friday night.

Brian (#33), I haven't seen Wales last night but the position Williams took up in the build up to Naismith scoring for Norwich the other week was truly atrocious for a man with so much experience. He's a good player and I like him but I do think his reading of the game could sometimes be better. Same with Jagielka, and possibly another reason to go with three?

He and Williams is a pairing that I wouldn't mind seeing. It might just work. Or would Koeman go with Holgate and Williams? Now that would be interesting.

Anyhow, let's hope that Jagielka's injury is not too serious... and he recovers quickly. We are going to need everybody fighting fit this season.

Injured Jags withdrawn from England squad.

Still want rid of Ramiro?

How many of our defenders have scored goals over the last two seasons? He is a top defender and I promise you, neither Jagielka nor Williams would get in the Argentina side.

No wonder we can't keep our top players! IMO this lad will be a top defender, just let him play! Jags and Williams are well past their prime – this lad is nowhere near his prime and still playing in the first eleven for one of the best countries on this planet!!! And people are saying 'get rid'!! Ridiculous!

If he wants to go, fine but I would hope he will stay and fight for his place and become a good centre-half in the Everton tradition.

There are too many fans very quick to knock a player; he is new to the Premier League and will not have learned anything under the idiot Martinez; under Koeman, things could be different.

I still worry when the crosses come in the box as a few times Williams is nowhere near or is stood flat-footed looking up.

Well no, Ones English and the other is welsh. It's far more difficult to get into the centre of Everton's defence than Argentina's. Their alternatives are very poor.

I think people look at Messi and Aguero etc and think they must all be world class. Far from it, individually their defenders are crap and Funes Mori would still be chosen if he had his legs tied together.

People need to put a stop to this "well he plays for Argentina so he must be good." It's palpable nonsense. Perhaps they would gain some perspective if they sat down and made a list of how many poor players have played for good teams – provided they have all night.

It's not Funes Mori's fault that Argentina don't have top central defenders at this moment in time; you can only be the best in your position when it comes to international football.

Let's judge him on the games he plays for Koeman. It's the only thing that counts.

True, we haven't got much cover and that's the only reason we should be keeping him in my opinion, and much more importantly it seems to be Koeman's opinion too! I much prefer the experienced and steady partnership we have at the moment. Holgate and Galloway will hopefully be the future.

As for the shite spouted that he can't defend, well I remember the Street end booing Ratcliffe when he first started playing and the same crowd calling Watson a yard dog. They turned out alright.

Clive #42 feckin behave

I think it is far too early in Koeman's era to lose a player of FM's potential under a new regime and quality players...

If he does go on the transfer list, there will be no shortage of takers... And not surprisingly, better clubs than ourselves.

"Ramiro Funes Mori opened the scoring for Argentina with a calm finish after Peru was unable to clear a corner kick..."

Yeah, just rubbish isn't he!

He's not on the pitch to score goals, is all I'm trying to say.

"Funes Mori turned villain when he tripped Guerrero in the box and Cueva scored a deserved equaliser with the 84th-minute penalty."

Sell him now!

Like many TW posters I believe the lad is far from being a lost cause as an Everton player, he has some slight faults which can easily be ironed out with regular playing time, he can score goals, he is a 90-minute performer and obviously enjoys playing for EFC when he does, there is nothing wrong with love of country, sadly lacking in England these days, I say England as the other UK national teams, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, eg, show real pride and love of country when playing. So I hope Funes Mori stays put.

Anyway what about that sensational goal by Rom and with his right foot too!

He will get plenty of game time, we all know how long the season is, there will be injuries, fatigue etc. When he does get that precious game time, he really needs to improve big time. He needs to take heed of the fortunate he has been blessed with playing along side either one of these experienced 1st picks.

Now all he has managed to achieve with his rant is gone and pissed Koeman off. In doing s,o I'm afraid he may have hastened his own demise. Leaves one wondering just what their personal managers or agents advise them on!

With Jags and Williams both more likely to get knocks and take time recovering, Funes Mori would have been good back-up but I think he may have burnt his bridge with Big K now as a number of clubs may be bidding for him in January. By then young Holgate could ready to step up if not already.

Might sound daft, but looking at our other striking options, nothing to lose trying the guy out there.

Brian (#74), And Fred Pickering was full back until Blackburn had to push him up front in an injury crisis. He scored against us so we bought him and he scored three on his debut. 97 League appearances, 56 goals; 106 appearances, 64 goals overall. Not bad for a converted full back who's career was blighted by injury.

I really like Funes Mori he is comfortable on the ball and is strong in the tackle and in the air. He is South American and appears languid on the ball as most of their defenders do, but you don't get to be in the Argentine national team if you are a poor footballer, can we honestly say that for the England team?

It is one thing to to get back to basics in defence and I accept we probably needed to after the over indulgence of Martinez's defending style, but and it is a big but, there needs to be balance. Jagielka and Williams appear to me be ponderous in their thinking and are reverting to smashing the ball the full distance of the pitch at all times.

We can't pretend that bar a second half at Sunderland the football we have served up thus far under Koeman is particularly entertaining or thrilling to watch. I would imagine Funes Mori is a victim of a safety first policy and I would be sad to see him go.

If Martinez 'ruined' the squad, surely they've got a chance to prove themselves under Koeman?

I think there's a very good defender there.

Hopefully Koeman can convince Funes Mori that he has a big part to play in our future if he's patient. Jags for one seems to pick up regular injuries and can't possibly go all season without being absent so Funes Mori should get the game time he's looking for IF he's prepared to be patient.