Mina called up again for more Colombia games

This is something I feel epitomises our club and is typical of what we allow our so-called professional players to get away with. Country before the club that pays his wages with no caveat for reimbursement when he comes back injured... as he surely will.

He played three games in seven days in November for his international team and came back injured. He then has his niggling injury for almost two months when his club team were in dire need of his service.

He declares himself fit to play as recently as last Saturday and by sheer coincidence, he's available to trot off to South America no doubt to return 'injured' after playing for his country.

I understand that this happens regularly to other international players and clubs but there does appear to be a whiff of something not quite right with Mina and his reoccurring injuries upon his return from international duty.

Gerard, a good observation that we need to take on board more when signing players, ie, the question needs to be asked: Would an above-average, dependable, Premier League central defender have been more use to us than Mina this season?

Even though, when Mina is fully fit, he is the real deal.

I'm still fuming about Coloumbia playing him for 90 minutes three times in seven days in November. Anyone could have told them it's too much for this player. It has cost us.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way the club, in fact any club, can prevent players joining up with their countries, unless they are injured. Mina came on against Norwich and appeared to get through the half-hour he played without any problems, so I suspect Colombia are well within their right to call Mina up.

Ryan Giggs had it down to a tee, crying off every time Wales only had friendlies, but these are World Cup qualifying games, games which every professional footballer wants to play in.

Also the same with Richarlison. He is unavailable for almost 4 weeks and then he comes back and he is off to play for Brazil. There is almost nothing a club can do, expect to have a quiet word with the national team coach and ask him to take it easy with our players as much as possible.

I think we are obliged to release players for World Cup qualifiers, but not for friendlies: is that right?

Honestly I can't believe there is yet another bloody break next week, a blank weekend on January 28 and then the following weekend is the FA Cup.

All the cancellations of Premier League games since December and Saturday is our last match again until February 8th in the league, it's a bloody piss take.

Ajay #5.

Richarlison's not in the Brazil squad for the forthcoming games.

Is a clerical error out of the question as those at AFCON seem to help their clubs to get games postponed.

Alan, we can't get games postponed, because there are no games to postpone!

Mina will have to be moved on in the summer and replaced. 8 appearances is ridiculous.

Agree, Clive, but a little reluctantly as at least, Mina brings both tenacity and experience to our defence, on the few occasions he is fit to play.

We would miss him less if it were not for the fact that none of Keane, Holgate or Godfrey are dominant, especially at set-pieces, whereas Mina is arguably a leader, and a threat at both defending and attacking set-pieces. He should actually score more off corners as he is often on the end of the cross but heading is not his best attribute, despite his towering frame.

As Gerard (#1) pointed out, however, we see a pattern with Mina, and are left to conclude that he does not have the stomach to play regularly for his club; as such, we need to get what we can for him at the end of the season. AC Milan are believed to be interested?

Rob (#10); Yeah, but he does have to come back.

He'll be gone in the summer and I hope he takes Keane with him too!

We should be looking for two new centre-backs now!

I hate international football. If we have to suffer it, then it should all be consolidated into about 1 month at the end of the season so at least players are with their clubs the rest of the time.

We are so much better with a fit Mina in the team and, along with Branthwaite and Godfrey, could be all we need if they get the game time to keep improving.

Our problems remain with the shape, with full-backs, consistency, the basics even. Not being able to defend a corner. Surely as a player, you talk to one another and do not leave the back post to wander inside for no reason.

Which brings me back to Mina, a presence and a leader. Let's add to that and not take it away.

David,

I agree on Mina but I think Keane is a huge problem and shouldn't be playing for Everton. Absolutely terrible and has had too many second chances. He's too soft.

Nick, l get that about Keane. Too many chances. He can go a few games looking on top form and then, just like Holgate, a mistake out of nothing. I don't know if it's problems with concentration but he seems to get flustered. I don't know if he has too many instructions in his head and he catches himself out. It's hard to carry any centre back, especially having a low percentage of the ball.

I do not think we should sell Mina. No way. From my perspective, selling a quality player at a cut-rate price purely on the basis of his recent injury record would be the height of stupidity. And I don't buy for one second that "he does not have the stomach to play regularly for his club" or anything like that.

He's only 27 and contracted to us through next season. A year ago today, he was a mainstay for us, never missing a game. And as has been well-documented, we won a point per game more when he was in the lineup than when he wasn't.

Then the injuries started, producing essentially 11 lost months and a significant lowering of his value. But it's not like it's been one chronic injury over and over -- it's been a variety of things and a whole lot of bad luck. And the talent, passion and leadership are still there.

To me, that's the profile of a player we would be trying to buy on the cheap if we didn't already employ him. I think Yerry can again be a mainstay and we should be trying to build around him, not replace him.

Mike Gaynes. I know Mina ( when fit is a top player) but he's not always fit. 8 games is as bad a return this season as Gbamins 4. I would love to have him play more often but with Gbamin I think he should be sold.

Mike #19,

He's probably our best centre-back, but he's missing too many games. He's played 7 games this season and 30 minutes against Arsenal, a shocking return, and played 6 games for Colombia unbelievably, definitely no return for one of the top earners at the club.

Always fit to play for Colombia but never fit to play for Everton, why do we allow this? It's about time we put our foot down. If he hasn't played for us because of injury then he shouldn't be allowed to then and go and play for his country. He is making Everton FC look like an amateur club who are lucky if he decides to play.

Without going into the well-covered above point about the club vs country vs club argument; and, is seemingly inability to stay fit at the moment, I do wish we'd had swapped him for Romagnoli at AC Milan in the summer, but apparently personal terms couldn't be worked out for Yerry.

I doubt very much that a deal can be done now, as Milan are second in Serie A, and Romagnoli,is still their captain, despite not agreeing to a new contract yet. His currently runs out in June.

He is a captain of a top Serie A squad, he's left footed, and as played all the way to Italian U23s as well.

Here's his Transfermarkt profile.

Alessio Romagnoli

Mind you, lookng at both Yerry's and Keane's stats and profiles. It is definitely Keane we need to unload from our squad.

A lineup of; Godfrey, Romagnoli, Mina, and Patterson/Coleman would do me for now. With a slower introduction and assimilation of Mykolenko, Branthwaite,and maybe groom Godfrey to cover for Allan as a CDM.

Like I said though, I think we've missed this particular boat.