I rarely watch an Everton game in which Marouane Fellaini does not have a significant impact. The 24-year-old is far more than just a cult hero at the club because of his crazy hair and fierce temperament. His manager David Moyes has called him “as good as anyone in the league.” The Belgian’s composure on the ball, his tough tackling and aerial dominance, makes me think is it the right time to test himself at the higher level of the game.
Born in Brussels to Moroccan parents Fellaini signed his first professional contract at 17 with Standard Liege, after having many clubs during his youth career. He went on to make 84 appearances for the club. He joined Everton for a reported club record fee of £15 million in 2008. At the time he was being courted by some of Europe’s elite clubs with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all reportedly watching him closely.
In the next few years the Belgian has been fantastic for Everton. He has also showed versatility. Not only did he play excellently in defensive midfield but because of Everton’s severe lack of attacking options he was deployed behind the striker, making use of his aerial threat to good effect. Something David Moyes has used recently in certain games when searching for a goal, the 4-4 at Old Trafford for example. People see Fellaini as just a big lump who can just tackle and head but after looking closely at his game you see that he has excellent ball control and passing ability.
So I have said he may need to move to the next level, this is not because Everton are a poor side, they are quite the opposite after finishing 7th in the Barclays Premier League. However for Everton to make the next step themselves they need a certain amount of money which it is clear they do not have. So if Fellaini were to leave who needs him?
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
There are three teams in England in particular, which I think he could improve vastly. First is Chelsea, they have just had their worst league season under Abramovich’s ownership and even though they could end the season with the FA Cup and a Champions League trophy, they still need re building. If you look at the two players who play in a similar position at Chelsea, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel. Both of their futures are under threat. Essien was once a world-beater but has not looked the same since some serious injuries and Mikel who has improved in the last few months but is still not that many Chelsea fans answer for the future. Fellaini with all his best years to come would add youth to an ageing squad and fill that position perfectly.
The second team he could improve would be Arsenal. The North Londoners already have an impressive defensive midfielder in Alex Song. However much of his impressive work is in creating chances and going forward leading to questions about his discipline in the holding role. Fellaini would allow Song to continue to express himself whilst forming a formidable tough tackling partnership which could be the steel Arsenal have needed in centre midfield ever since Patrick Viera left. He would also add significant height, which Arsenal lack badly.
Finally I believe he could fit into Manchester United’s midfield. Many talk about the lack of creativity in United’s midfield however I also believe they lack drive. Since Darren Fletcher’s illness they have not had that one tough box to box midfielder which Fellaini is more than capable of being. Tom Cleverly may be the man to fill the creative midfielder role in the future, meaning he would need someone with drive, height an premier league experience next to him in that midfield. No one more perfect than Fellaini.
If anyone were to come in for Fellaini they would have to pay big money after he signed a new five-year contract at Everton in 2011 and David Moyes will be desperate not to lose another one of his top players.
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
do one
“However for Everton to make the next step themselves they need a certain amount of money which it is clear they do not have. So if *Rodwell were to leave who needs him?”
Edited that for you.
Felli’s going nowhere.
Jog on. Fellaini is not for sale so United, Arsenal and Chelsea keep your mitts off. This article is bad lazy journalism and basically an attempt to manufacture a move. There is and has not been any hint of either Fellaini wanting to move or any of them clubs making an approach. This is just fabrication.
This isn’t meant as a news story. You are the one being lazy. If you read the article properly you would see it is an opinion piece. The author is putting forward their opinion of Fellaini. They are not trying to get ‘bigger’ clubs to steal your precious Fellaini away, just merely saying he would be a good fit.
No I’m not being lazy, I read the article properly and I know it is an opinion piece, but anybody who knows anything about football and journalism in football knows it is pieces like this that start rumours which eventually lead to clubs bidding for players they may previously not have done. Why would somebody take the time to write such a detailed article if they didn’t think or want there to be a move was on the cards
Also why is a Liverpool fan commenting on an Everton story? Typical kopites more concerned with our club than their own. As for ‘bigger’ clubs a) Chelsea are not bigger than Everton. and b) 8th place
“makes me think is it the right time to test himself at the higher level of the game.” – not trying to get a move?
“So I have said he may need to move to the next level” – still not?
If anyone were to come in for Fellaini they would have to pay big money – how about now?