Kevin Mirallas

[catcherintherye]

I wouldn't disagree with much if anything there. Essentially, he cant fully integrate himself into our system (technically or ethos-wise). He's a very awkward player for us to have. Others (like BlueToff above) are arguing that he's an asset and we're unlikely to attract better in January. Whether that's the case or not, I'd say we must try and offload him because the nearer we get to the European Championships if he's still a bit part player (as I'd expect) he's going to be more and more vociferous and disgruntled. It looks to me that's what he himself is flagging up here in these latest comments and you dont need that attitude running riot in a squad for the remainder of the season.

He'd have gone in the summer if a decent offer had materialised; he'll go like a shot if one crops up in January. The feller has made it abundantly clear on more than one occasion that he'd prefer to be elsewhere. Just let him go. He'll be no great loss to this football club.

I think the issue is some players and personalities are ok to be squad players. If you take Naismith or Cleverley they both might start 12-18 league games for us a season. They should also get a similar number of subs appearances. These will be in a variety of positions. For Cleverley it might be left wing, defensive midfield, attacking midfield and right back. For Naismith it could be right/left wing, centre forward and as a number 10.

Neither of them are going to complain. They will knuckle down and won't let us down when they are called upon. Off the pitch they know their limitations. Players and characters like that are invaluable.

Unfortunately for Mirallas he has now become on a similar level to them. With the growing maturity of Lukaku and Barkley (and with Deulofeu going the same way) it looks very hard for us to guarantee him a regular slot. Then you have to look at what goes on between their ears.

For Mirallas when he gets angry it rarely manifests itself positively. He becomes more greedy or is prone to making a snide tackle like he did at Swansea. Fortunately that was the last minute of the game. But lets be honest, take a week Saturday for example can Martinez risk throwing him in and having him sent off from the start?

I am really on the fence with Mirallas. I lean towards keeping him as I think he would suit our system brilliantly as a centre forward. However if an offer approaching 10 million came in Martinez must be very tempted to cahs in and look to get Yarmalenko or that Williams fella from Bilbao.

 

[Khalekan]

For Mirallas when he gets angry it rarely manifests itself positively. He becomes more greedy or is prone to making a snide tackle like he did at Swansea. Fortunately that was the last minute of the game. But lets be honest, take a week Saturday for example can Martinez risk throwing him in and having him sent off from the start?

Very true.

Twice we have got away with his anger issues on the pitch.

We all laughed and hooraahed when he did The Rat during the 3-3 derby but his actions that day should have seen us reduced to ten men and we were still behind 2-1 at the time (I think we were still behind).

And he would have been red carded but for the RS physio brandishing an imaginary card at the Ref and trying to bully him into producing one.

That kind if thing is no use to anyone.

Then there was the incident last season where he practically assaulted a West Ham fellow right in front of the ref's eyes.

That should have been another red.

He needs to grow up, shut up and play up.

 

[joey_macmo]

So there are direct quotes saying Mirallas saying he knows game time comes gradually, that he is a team player and that he isnt asking for a move yet people think he's forcing a move less than 4 months after signing a new contract!?

Seriously!?!?

 

[joey_macmo]

Very true.

Twice we have got away with his anger issues on the pitch.

We all laughed and hooraahed when he did The Rat during the 3-3 derby but his actions that day should have seen us reduced to ten men and we were still behind 2-1 at the time (I think we were still behind).

And he would have been red carded but for the RS physio brandishing an imaginary card at the Ref and trying to bully him into producing one.

That kind if thing is no use to anyone.

Then there was the incident last season where he practically assaulted a West Ham fellow right in front of the ref's eyes.

That should have been another red.

He needs to grow up, shut up and play up.

haha talk about reaching!

The very same incident where the whole country laughed at Tomkins for his reaction, his manager even condemned him fgs.

this is getting a bit silly now

 

[Dymak]

But we wouldn't get that much if we sold him in Jan as teams would know that he wanted out. That therefore drives the price-down, and also means we'd be scrambling around/overpaying for a replacement. January window should be used to add one or two players IF needed.

Given his comments, I think bids will be made for him. If the bidding clubs don't meet our valuation then he wont be sold. Nobody currently knows what Everton's valuation of him is, but id be extremely surprised if it was less than 12 million. Is a bid of 12 million for Kevin Mirallas beyond the realms of possibility? Not at all, far from it. Someone will be getting a decent deal at that price. Us finding a better player than Mirallas isn't beyond the realms of possibility either. Our team is littered with less expensive replacements who are now considered superior to their predecessors, McCarthy, Deulofeu etc. We could also add funds to the money we receive for Mirallas.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Given his comments, I think bids will be made for him. If the bidding clubs don't meet our valuation then he wont be sold. Nobody currently knows what Everton's valuation of him is, but id be extremely surprised if it was less than 12 million. Is a bid of 12 million for Kevin Mirallas beyond the realms of possibility? Not at all, far from it. Someone will be getting a decent deal at that price. Us finding a better player than Mirallas isn't beyond the realms of possibility either. Our team is littered with less expensive replacements who are now considered superior to their predecessors, McCarthy, Deulofeu etc. We could also add funds to the money we receive for Mirallas.

There was no great interest in the summer and he was off the back of a good season and heading into the last year of his contract.

 

[Hellerad]

Still think he should be played as our new Pienaar. He isn't as talented off of the ball, but he's a game winner even if he's wasteful.

Or sell the Judas.

Cheese on Toast.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Excellent post. It has reminded me of something from the Barnsley game though: Mirallas had two men on him from the opening minute and despite this he was our main attacking outlet, scoring a goal. When Del came on the game opened up and Barnsley couldn't double up on either winger. They both ran riot at that point, but Del had the fresh legs and so reaped the rewards as the game went on. It seemed reasonable that Kone and Clev started the next league game (spurs) - Kev was just back from injury and the Barnsley game had been longer than expected, so a bench spot made sense. What DIDN'T make sense was Kev not getting the start against Chelsea. Naismith took his chances coming on as a sub in that game, but isn't that what Naismith does best? Come on to play as the 10 or the striker and score goals? He's not a winger.

The late substitution against Swansea was pointless. You give a guy three minutes at the end of a game, of course he's going to go out there trying to play at 300mph in the hope of making an impression. Yes it was a silly tackle and of course he shouldn't have done it, but the timing of the substitution increased the likelihood of something rash happening. Doesn't excuse it in any way, of course.

You are right about the perfect storm - if Watford hadn't grocked him out the game he would have started against Soton and City, been rested against Barnsley and would have played against Spurs and Chelsea. It's not his fault he got injured, nor that others who filled in played well and earned further starts, but I do think his return to the squad was handled strangely - he played very well against Barnsley but Martinez just seemed to treat that as if it didn't count. Given that he has been injured and then suspended, I struggle to see how people can say his performances have been poor - he's barely played!

I would love to see Kev start on the left, with Del on the right. Against the right opposition, all the time our fullbacks are not on the same form they have been in previous seasons, and considering our current injury list, these two represent our best, most creative attacking options. Like most players, Kev needs a run of games, or at least some sub appearances with meaningful time - three minutes here and there does no good for him and does nothing to change a game. Leaving the substitutions too late is a habit from last season that I'd hoped not to see from Martinez this year.

Thanks.

Personally can see the logic for the Chelsea tactics, Martinez wanted Besic to play a "Cleverley" role ie help fill defensively and Kone was one of our better players against Spurs so imo earned the sole starting winger spot. Naismith did far more with his sub appearance in the Spurs game than Mirallas did, despite only coming on at the 70th minute rather than having 45mins like Kev did, which probably made him first sub.

In the 5 games since his return from suspension Kev has been first attacking sub in 3 appearances, all over 20 mins which I'd class as meaningful time, and one start against Norwich - a total of 170minutes which is enough time that he should be able to make an impact. However looking at the MOTM thread for each game he doesn't seem to have made much of an impression on anybody.

His assist vs Norwich probably puts him ahead of Naismith/Lennon on the bench but tbh if Cleverley is fit I'd be tempted give the first sub spot to him since before his injury he was excellent and will need to regain his match fitness.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Very true.

Twice we have got away with his anger issues on the pitch.

We all laughed and hooraahed when he did The Rat during the 3-3 derby but his actions that day should have seen us reduced to ten men and we were still behind 2-1 at the time (I think we were still behind).

And he would have been red carded but for the RS physio brandishing an imaginary card at the Ref and trying to bully him into producing one.
.

Let's be real, though - that was one of the most beautiful tackles in the history of football. The ball is like an awed bystander.

Not disagreeing that Kev has his problems at the moment, but he represented the Royal Blue Jersey with pride and decency that day.

 

[catcherintherye]

Very true.

Twice we have got away with his anger issues on the pitch.

We all laughed and hooraahed when he did The Rat during the 3-3 derby but his actions that day should have seen us reduced to ten men and we were still behind 2-1 at the time (I think we were still behind).

And he would have been red carded but for the RS physio brandishing an imaginary card at the Ref and trying to bully him into producing one.

That kind if thing is no use to anyone.

Then there was the incident last season where he practically assaulted a West Ham fellow right in front of the ref's eyes.

That should have been another red.

He needs to grow up, shut up and play up.

Yes. I mean form what we are both saying we are painting the picture of a guy who's always getting sent off. That's not true. There is a petulant side to Mirallas though which makes him a big risk , particularly if he's frustrated by lack of football.

I can fully understand his frustration. He has been a leading member of the team for us and it's hard to really say what he's done wrong to deserve being dropped. But in all honesty what has Naismith done to deserve to be dropped. He scored a Hatrick against the champions a couple of weeks back. What has Lennon done to be dropped after his form last season? Or Cleverley who started the season very well?

We have too many players for those positions already and there is a lack of reliability around Mirallas.

 

[catcherintherye]

Let's be real, though - that was one of the most beautiful tackles in the history of football. The ball is like an awed bystander.

Not disagreeing that Kev has his problems at the moment, but he represented the Royal Blue Jersey with pride and decency that day.

He did, and we all cheered him on myself included. The point people are making though is there is a wider issue with his petulance. It wasn't just a one off on Suarez, it has been a mistake repeated on more than one occasion. I think he has to be in the right frame of mind to get the most out of him. Unfortunately that means regularly starting which I am not sure he ever will for us.

 

[Dymak]

There was no great interest in the summer and he was off the back of a good season and heading into the last year of his contract.

With the Echo stating we had the option of extending his contract by a further year, and the likes of Stoke and West Brom paying 12 million pound plus for absolute tat like Shaquiri and Rondon. I do acknowledge that Mirallas ego might prevent him from moving, as he would never join a club like Stoke etc. I still think we could move him on for a figure circa 12 million, he's a proven goalscoring midfielder in the Premier League.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

With the Echo stating we had the option of extending his contract by a further year, and the likes of Stoke and West Brom paying 12 million pound plus for absolute tat like Shaquiri and Rondon. I do acknowledge that Mirallas ego might prevent him from moving, as he would never join a club like Stoke etc. I still think we could move him on for a figure circa 12 million, he's a proven goalscoring midfielder in the Premier League.

If he moves to another premiership club I'd imagine we'd be lucky to get £10m max, anywhere outside of the premiership he'd fetch no more than £8m.

Wingers like Mirallas are ten a penny in Europe.

 

[Nymzee]

If he wants to go and we get a good enough bid - sell him.
If he wants to go and no bid comes in - keep playing him.

He's talented but not irreplaceable.

 

[Dymak]

If he moves to another premiership club I'd imagine we'd be lucky to get £10m max, anywhere outside of the premiership he'd fetch no more than £8m.

Wingers like Mirallas are ten a penny in Europe.

Well, we will see. I wouldn't cry if we sold him for 10 million, but I don't agree that players that are capable of scoring as many goals as Mirallas has from midfield in the Premiership have a value of 0.1 pence, or that they are available in abundance.