So, David Moyes has confirmed the bid Everton accepted for Steven Pienaar was indeed from Chelsea. Whether or not he’ll end up agreeing terms remains to be seen but assuming we do get him, what would we be getting for our £3million and what’s the general feeling about signing the South African midfielder?
He’s not the most talked about player going and if you were thinking of players to sign he probably wouldn’t even come to mind and yet in the 2008/09 season, with Arteta out, Pienaar was widely noted to be at the centre of most of Everton’s creative play. Again last season, despite missing 11 games through injury, his creativity was a vital part of their attacking play and his overall contribution was recognised when he was voted player of the season.
On top of that, he’s versatile enough to play on either wing, has some Champions League experience behind him with Ajax and only costs £3million, so maybe it’s more a question of why not Pienaar?
Personally, I see him as one of those understated players who doesn’t necessarily get the recognition or the success he might at another club – and that’s not doing Everton down because they’re a good club with good players. I just think Pienaar has the potential to really stand if he was playing alongside players like Lampard, Essien and Drogba (on better form obviously).
Take Valencia for example, when United signed him from Wigan, did anyone imagine him being named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in his debut season? And yet now, with him rumoured to return from that horrific injury next month, no-one will be wanting that to happen more than Wayne Rooney – not a bad endorsement really.
So why not?
Blue is the colour
