Everton Alumni Alessandro Pistone

[Furey1878]

Next up in this fascinating series on the award winning Grand Old Team is Alessandro Pistone - the next former player name AI has given us at random.

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• Career at Everton (2000–2007):
  Alessandro Pistone joined Everton in July 2000 from Newcastle United for a transfer fee of approximately £3 million. He made his debut in the opening match of the 2000–01 season but was soon sidelined due to a knee injury that kept him out for six months. Throughout his tenure at Everton, Pistone faced several injury challenges but managed to make a total of 103 appearances over seven seasons. His appearances were spread across various competitions, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.
• Injury Challenges:
  Pistone's time at Everton was notably affected by injuries. After his initial knee injury, he struggled to regain consistent form. During the 2001–02 season, he scored his first goal for the club against Bolton Wanderers. Despite these setbacks, he managed to feature more regularly in the 2004–05 season, contributing significantly to Everton's defense. However, a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 2005–06 season limited his appearances, and he did not play in the 2006–07 season.
• Departure from Everton:
  After seven seasons with Everton, Pistone was released in May 2007. He subsequently had brief trials with Middlesbrough and Watford but did not secure a contract with either club.

What are our memories of him? Apparently he scored a league goal for us. Can anyone remember when/who against?

The first player I've ever seen spoon the ball out of the actual stadium. Letting him go and re-signing him was peak Everton.

 

[Furey1878]

Wasn't he LB during that season we got 4th? IIRC He was easily the most improved player that season. He definitely had a season at LB, a foreshadowing moment for Moyes using a naturalised CB at fullback and them being a success.

Also I believe there is a story involving a car but I can't quite remember it and might be crossing a memory.

As I recall, Naysmith was the preferred option. We sometimes played with a back 5 with Kilbane as a wing back as well.

 

[davep]

Wasn’t Valente here at the same time? I really can’t remember who was better . Absolute blank .

When I started reading the thread I was wondering why everyone was slating him, then after your post realised I was thinking of Nuno!

05-09
Naysmith 2000-07
Pistone 2000-07

That was the goal. Recall him being interviewed afterwards and he said he was actually right footed!

Being more charitable to Pistone, I remember watching us in the home leg vs Villarael in the Champions league and thinking "him and Areta are the only players with the technique for this level". Dunc as well when he came on.

Sadly a generally weak as piss defender.

Makes sense - the first shot with his left was awful, then he slams in the rebound off his right!

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

When I started reading the thread I was wondering why everyone was slating him, then after your post realised I was thinking of Nuno!



Makes sense - the first shot with his left was awful, then he slams in the rebound off his right!

He was such a strange player. Remember watching the 98 (i think) FA Cup final with a Newcastle supporting mate and he was raging about him.

Ovemars may as well have just been playing against a road cone. At the time Ovemars was absolute but it was pathetic.

 

[Papa Shango]

Remember when he was put at centre half in a derby though and had a blinder? Think we won it 1-0.

He always seemed to be much better in the middle than at left back.

 

[Vaughan]

he was rubbish but was very solid at LB when we finished 4th so will always have grace in my eyes for that

he's also given us a very everton that moment

we released him after his best season for us, resigned him when we scouldnt sign a left back, and then he got a cruciate on his first game back. not sure he ever played again