Everton defender Yerry Mina has revealed that Marco Silva called him every day after the World Cup to convince him to make the switch to Goodison Park.
Mina arrived on a deal worth around £27million from Barcelona, where he had endured a tough six months following an unsuccessful switch from Palmeiras.
The 6ft 5in colossus is expected to make his full debut this weekend against Chelsea after an untimely foot injury, and he has now shed light on the events which led to his switch to Goodison Park in the summer.
As quoted by The Times, he said: “The truth is professor Marco spoke to me every day, telling me to come to England. I have always been aware of English football — Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham.
“But Everton has always been an important club for me, honestly. I watched them back in the day when [Marouane] Fellaini was playing here.
“The big thing was when I was on holiday, training and keeping fit after the World Cup, Marco was on the phone, saying to me, ‘Come on, come and play here with us’. The faith he showed was very important. I know that I have made the right decision.”
OPINION
It is illustrative of the determination Silva had to bring in Mina that he went to such lengths to convince the Colombia international of the move. Mina was coming off a brilliant World Cup campaign with the South American nation and would have been coveted by many top sides, who will have been aware of his tentative position at the Nou Camp. The 24-year-old was heavily linked with Manchester United, but it is no surprise that he chose Everton in the end after these revelations. Silva’s persistent work would have convinced any player of his desire to sign him, and to be wanted is always a good feeling. The Red Devils obviously did not show as much determination to snap Mina up, and that is what ended up being the deciding factor. It will be brilliant to see him finally make his full debut this weekend against Chelsea, with the ineligible Kurt Zouma having to sit out.