Moyes’ Best Window Shopping
After Everton’s failure to sign transfer targets Leroy Fer and Alvaro Negredo on transfer deadline day, we look at David Moyes’ best signings during his reign at Goodison Park and why Everton chairman Bill Kenwright was wrong not to splash the cash this time round.
This March, David Moyes will celebrate his 11th anniversary in charge of the Toffees, the third longest serving manager in the Premier League behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Moyes may have spent his last January transfer window on Merseyside as his employers – seemingly bereft of any funding – were once more unable to meet their manager’s ambitions for the club in the transfer market. On Friday, Moyes conceded that Everton’s failure in their bids to bring Fer and Negredo to Goodison this January may well harm the club’s chances of finishing in a top 4 spot come May.
Given that Everton’s performance in the first half of the season gives them the best possible chance to finish in the Champions League places since they achieved a 4th place finish in the 2004/05 season, Toffees supremo Bill Kenwright may live to rue his decision not to dig into his pockets and grant David Moyes’ his transfer wishes this January. Furthermore, when you consider Moyes’ success in the transfer market during his 11 years at Goodison Park, Kenwright’s inability to bring out the chequebook may seem even more surprising.
TIM CAHILL – the Australian’s performances during Milwall’s run to the FA Cup final in 2004 impressed Moyes enough to sign Cahill for £1.5million the following summer. This deal turned out to be a bargain as the midfielder went on to score 68 goals in 8 seasons at Goodison Park where he became a cult hero with the Everton faithful.
MIKEL ARTETA – After a successful loan period, the Toffees signed Arteta from Real Socieadad for £2million in July 2005 and sold the Spaniard to Arsenal 6 years later for an £8million profit. Arteta showed his real value to Everton on the pitch however and was often the creative fulcrum of the side. He earned various personal accolades during his time on Merseyside and can consider himself unlucky not to be called up by World Champions Spain.
TIM HOWARD – Another fruitful loan spell led to the permanent £3 million signing of goalkeeper Tim Howard after he was flung on the exit pile at Old Trafford in 2007. The American stopper has since matured in the number 1 jersey at Goodison and is undoubtedly one of the most consistent keepers in the Premier League.
LEIGHTON BAINES – Arguably one of Europe’s best attacking full backs, Baines is an early contender for Premier League Player of the Year this season. Signed from Wigan for just £6million in July 2007, the England international has gone on to make 202 appearances for the Toffees.
STEVEN PIENAAR – Undervalued by Borussia Dortmund, yet another productive loan spell led to the permanent £2million signing of the South African playmaker in 2008. An unsuccessful transfer to Spurs saw the return of fans’ favourite Pienaar to Goodison, where once more he combines with the likes of Leon Osman and Marouane Fellaini to great effect in the Everton midfield.
Other notable signings during Moyes’ tenure include Phil Neville, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka, Marouane Fellaini and Landon Donovan.
Should Everton’s board be unable or unwilling to back their manager’s aspirations in the transfer market this summer, then Moyes may have made his last signing at Goodison Park.
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