Everton seem to have pulled off the first major coup of the January transfer window after Jose Mourinho all but confirmed Morgan Schneiderlin’s departure to Everton. According to sources, the two clubs have finally agreed on a £22m deal after long drawn out negotiations ever since the window opened.
The former Southampton manager made the switch to the Goodison in somewhat controversial circumstances but his credentials have not taken a hit. His excellent track record at Southampton despite the club widely proven as a selling club made Everton decide to entrust him with the aim of taking the next step after a period of consolidation by David Moyes and the subsequent dip under Roberto Martinez.
It was understood that Ronald Koeman will be making a number of changes to the squad which he took over from Roberto Martinez but there was a chance that he might wait till next summer to effect the significant overhaul. All that seems to have changed though after Everton’s topsy-turvy league form along with their exit from the FA Cup seems to have been the final straw for the Dutchman.
He has targeted the midfield and central defence as the areas which needs to be bolstered in order to sustain their somewhat dwindling challenge for the Top 6. And after the unfortunate injury to their £30m signing Yannick Bolasie, it seems that a move for Memphis Depay will be launched to make up for the loss.
But they seem to have tasted success with their pursuit of the Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin, with the manager looking to continue the successful partnership from their time together at Southampton.
Schneiderlin is predominantly a defensive minded midfielder who has the propensity to pop up with important goals once in a while.
In the 2013 season, Schneiderlin registered the most tackles, interceptions and highest work rate which enabled him to win the Player’s Player of the Year and Fan’s Player of the Year and established him as one of the most exciting midfield prospect in England.
All this points to a perfect midfielder who can shore up the midfield and at the same time infuse creativity and class. His long-term partnership with Idrissa Gueye potentially seems to be a very promising one and thus the fans along with the club will be pumped with the deal going through.
Although a couple of years has gone by without too much of a glimpse of his ability in the Premier League, a continued run in the first team will surely see him back at his peak.
