Toffeelinks – The trying not to get excited about an Everton takeover edition
by tmallows on Nov 14, 2011 4:47 PM GMT
in ToffeeLinks
Email
Print
Well, well, well, I thought all the Jain Group hysteria had sent the web into Everton take-over overdrive. But Sunday’s developments have well and truly broken the internet, well the Everton bits of it anyway.
Shall we delve in and have a look? Yes, lets...
Things we’re all kicked off by this article in the Sunday People which claims Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, heir to the throne of Qatar, is keen on buying either Everton or Blackburn after being snubbed by Manchester United.
With a Blue Union march on the horizon many are sceptical as to the truth in these rumours – especially as it is in the People.
And though I seriously doubt the club would release rumours to ward off protesters or sell half season tickets, I do wonder what has changed in the past few weeks for all these rumours to rise to the surface if (supposedly) we have been for sale for years and enquiries are constantly being made?
The Daily Mirror then alleged that the Qatari investors were put off by Everton’s asking price and the cost of a new stadium, making Blackburn a better option. However, this forum has contacts within the club who say Rovers are not for sale, with the Lancashire Telegraph and then the BBC later verifying the story.
Various insiders on Twitter and forums are suggesting that some of the Venkys family do want to sell, but they all need to agree before making a decision. Others claim that Blackburn were a smokescreen to tempt Everton into lowering the price or that they will now go back to Everton after being snubbed by Rovers.
Is any of this true? Who knows, I am certainly not claiming any credit for it and simply trying to summarise what I have seen. All the while trying to keep a lid on any excitement should a take-over of this magnitude go through. I don’t even want to start dreaming for fear of being let down – which has happened before.
Liverpool Echo reporter Gregg O’Keefe has already said he has found nothing so far to suggest it is anything more than just internet rumour. Given our desperation for positive news regarding a take-over I already sense that we will be treated to a few more red herrings before something concrete actually happens.
We need to take these rumours with a dose of salt and appreciate that talks and enquires are a long way from an actually takeover of the club. However, should Blackburn or - if further rumours are to be believed – Wigan get a cash investment from Qatar and not Everton, Bill Kenwright will come in for some serious heat from an already frustrated and deflated fan base.
Ok, and breathe.
Away from the Everton take-over talk what else do we have?
Phil Jagielka put in a Stirling performance for England against Spain on Saturday, which England somehow won 1-0. Re-creating his partnership with Joleon Lescott that proved so fruitful for Everton a few years ago. I think Jags – who will return to Everton this week for treatment on a toe injury - has played himself into contention for next year’s Euros.
He wasn’t the only one either.
Jack Rodwell made a calm and assured debut after coming on with half an hour left, receiving warm praise from Fabio Capello after the game. He is now set to start against Sweden on Tuesday. How much was Jordan Henderson again?
The Russian winger has revealed his agent is looking to engineer a move back to Russia in January should he continue to sit on the bench. It is a shame as I do feel he has talent and while some say it is because he isn’t played in his right position, I think the game is just too quick for him in England and he has failed to impress every time he has been given the chance. Given our finances we can’t afford to have hangers on and Moyes needs to cut his losses while he still has some value and put the money (if he gets to keep it) elsewhere.
Transfer rumour time, today it is FC Dallas winger Brek Shea – MLS followers anyone care to enlighten me on his talents? I can’t say I know too much about him. The Mail claims he is set to go for a trial at Arsenal, but we are ready to pounce, hopefully grabbing Landon Donovan while we are over there.
5 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
On Brek Shea
Brek Shea plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer, but has been featuring for the USMNT ever since Jurgen Klingsman took over. He’s a very big body at 6’3", but not a center back as some articles have suggested. He may be able to adapt to the role, but he is primarily a left sided midfielder for both club and country.
He’s very good with the ball in the air and at least in USMNT games is often the target man on goal kicks. He’s fairly quick for his size with strong ball skills and the ability to shield off defenders. He has been developing a strong partnership on the left side of the USMNT attack with left back Timothy Chandler, which suggests that he is capable of linking play with Leighton Baines.
Based on Arsene Wenger’s comments I think Shea is just at Arsenal to train, but new American ownership might push to have a US player in the squad. I also do not think that FC Dallas is in a rush to sell him having just extended his contract to the winter of 2015, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of reach if an offer meets their valuation.
All in all if he were to come to Everton, it would probably be in a short season loan a la what Landon Donovan had in 2010. FC Dallas might be pursued to allow him to stay through the end of the European season, but I don’t think a full transfer is likely.
Ideally, Shea would come in on the left side of midfield and allow Royston Drenthe to move to the right, where he has looked very dangerous in the few games I’ve watched. Hopefully, Shea would be able to develop a partnership with Leighton Baines and bring him into the attack the way Steven Pienaar used to.
However, its important to remember Shea is a good young USMNT prospect and a star in the MLS, but that doesn’t mean he can make it in the the EPL. This move would be a gamble and perhaps a worthwhile one, but you can’t count on him being the next Landon Donovan.
Landon Donovan had been the talisman for the USMNT for a long time before his loan move to Everton, he had played in World Cups and dealt with the spotlight before. Brek Shea wasn’t even on the last World Cup roster, he is dealing with the stresses and challenges of success for the first time. He may not be ready right now and perhaps its better for him to simply remain out of the spotlight in the MLS and fully develop his game.
by CharlieMagnum on Nov 14, 2011 6:00 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for the info Charlie, really useful
A tall player who can play in a number of positions, certainly fits David Moyes’ type of player! We have missed that combination down the left since Pienaar, Bines is a threat but can’t do it on his own.
Plus, despite our struggles the additions of two players – Shea and Donovan – could change the shape of the side. Imagine Shea on the left, Drenthe on the right and Donovan supporting Saha, or all three playing behind Louis in a a 4-2-3-1 formation. That isn’t a bad looking team IMO.
As you say the PL is a big jump from the MLS but if we were to get him on a loan deal along with Donovan, it would be a risk worth taking.
Shea has some talent
He will be training with Arsenal for a month or two becuase the MLS offseason lasts a good 3 months, which hurts a lot of the international players when it comes time to play in January and February. He definitely has some talent and a lot of speed, and it would be interesting to see how he would do in the EPL
Klingsman is pushing US players overseas.
Your absolutely right, the short MLS season has been a topic of discussion in USMNT circles. USMNT manager Jurgen Klingsman has been pushing for more games for MLS players and an extension of the MLS season.
He also has expressed a desire to see US National Team players get European experience through loans or training periods at European clubs. This would suggest that USMNT or prospective USMNT players might become more available on short season loan during the break in the MLS season in the years to come.
As of right now the only players that might interest anyone in the Premier league is Shea, Donovan, George John, and Omar Gonzalez.
I don’t know too much about John outside the fact that he plays center back at FC Dallas where Brek Shea plays. Blackburn were interested in the summer window because he has an EU passport, but a transfer never materialized.
Gonzalez is a teammate of Donovan at LA Galaxy and has been named MLS Defender of the Year the past two seasons. He’s big at 6’5" and is a good target on set pieces. He hasn’t been given a good run of games in the national team, but its probably just a matter of time.
However, I doubt Everton would be interested in center backs with Jagielka, Distin, and Heitinga available. You never know though, perhaps David Moyes believes John Heitinga is as much of a liability as I think.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
