Everton were active in January's transfer market, and despite losing Louis Saha are in good shape to turn their season round after beating league leaders Manchester City. Can their Croatian hit-man help them go from strength to strength?
Jelavic: Everton Player, Indecisive With Numbers
A performance such as Everton’s against Manchester City last night would usually have warranted a celebratory post-match pint or three, but RoyalBlueView headed straight home to catch the final moments of the transfer window, with Jim White and the rest of the hyperbole-addicted beauts at Sky Sports News for company.
It turned out to be a hugely successful day for Everton. Glasgow Rangers’ Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic was signed earlier in the day – for one of those undisclosed fees that seem to be all the rage nowadays – and the loan acquisition of a certain Steven Pienaar was announced just before midnight after it had at one point appeared the deal was off.
David Moyes didn’t get every player he wanted, however. A deal for Greek defender Kostas Manolas fell through after Everton and Manolas’ club AEK Athens had agreed a £500,000 (£419,000) fee. The Greek club’s president, Stavros Adamidis, revealed that the move broke down because of failure to agree personal terms, saying: ”We had told the player that if he and Everton agreed terms we wouldn’t stand between them. It didn’t happen.” Manolas is out of contract in the Summer, so who knows if Everton will call again?
Another target who was unable to join the Blues was Croatian Danijel Pranjic, who told Zagreb-based sports paper Sportske novosti that his club, Bayern Munich, prevented him from sealing a move to Everton: ”I had an agreement with Everton for two-and-a-half years. I was ready to board a plane and I was really happy because I knew that Everton were serious and that they had big plans for me. But now it is all over and this is a catastrophe. I can’t describe the negative feelings I have. Bayern wanted so much money that everybody knew that Everton would not pay. I don’t play and now the opportunity to play in the Premier League has gone. I’m so unhappy.”
Rangers’ Nikica Jelavic, who was tracked by David Moyes even before he joined the Ibrox club from Rapid Vienna in August 2010, had a prolific goalscoring record in Scotland, averaging 0.65 goals per game.
On the pair that we did manage to sign up on deadline day, I am confident that they will both bring something to the side. Rangers’ Nikica Jelavic, who was tracked by David Moyes even before he joined the Ibrox club from Rapid Vienna in August 2010, had a prolific goalscoring record in Scotland, averaging 0.65 goals per game. Of course, though, he will face a higher standard of opposition south of the border and only time will tell if he can transfer his goalscoring touch to the English game.
I would rather stick matchsticks in my eyes than watch Scottish football, so haven’t really ever seen much of Jelavic in action. I did do a bit of scouting on YouTube, however, and was impressed with the range of goals he scored. Both feet, headers, free-kicks – it’s a well-worn cliché but he scores all types of goals! Hopefully he can do just that here: welcome to Everton, Nikica Jelavic.
The other deadline day arrival is rather more well-known to Evertonians. Steven Pienaar spent a happy three years at Goodison after joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2008, winning Everton’s Player of the Year Award for the 2009/10 season. He is a grafter with guile, coupling a fantastic work-rate with the ability to pick a defence’s lock. His partnership with Leighton Baines down Everton’s left flank was the best in the division – if ever two players complemented each other perfectly it was them. Baines, then, will be delighted to see the South African return. As am I – welcome (back) to Everton, Steven Pienaar.
There was one outgoing – and it was the shock of the day for me. Louis Saha’s move to Spurs is an intriguing one although, I think, the right one for player and clubs. (For once) I agree with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who said: ”He’s got good movement, can score goals but probably needs a change.” On song, he is undoubtedly a top player, but he’s badly out of form and a change of scenery may do him good. I hope so, anyway. I’ve always rated Saha and he’s provided us with some great memories, none better than that Cup final goal – a record that isn’t getting broken anytime soon. Best of luck, Louis.
So that’s that until the Summer, then. A great day and window on the whole for the Blues. The feel-good factor is back, let’s hope Jelavic and Pienaar can do the business in Blue. A word before I go for the Everton hierachy – for David Moyes and for the oft-slated Bill Kenwright, whose efforts were pivotal in Everton’s dealings. He was in touch all day with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, whilst also no doubt working to push through the Jelavic signing. Credit where it’s due.
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