Goodison Park star may have played last ever game for Toffees.
Last Friday David Moyes insisted he did not need to sell players to buy during the January transfer window. It would considerably increase his purchasing power were he to do so, however, and the events of this game appear to make it that much more likely top scorer Marouane Fellaini will depart Everton in the new year.
Issued late on Saturday evening, the Belgium international’s apology to Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross for head-butting him, to his team-mates and the club’s supporters, and to Moyes and his staff, was earnest enough, but the incident and its embarrassing aftermath will surely only strengthen his intention to seek pastures new.
Despite signing a five-year contract last year, Fellaini was reliably reported to have told journalists in his own country last month that he wanted to move in January or at the end of the season. It should be said he subsequently denied the reports, but Chelsea and Paris St-Germain are among his prospective suitors, and having condemned the 25-year-old’s lack of discipline in no uncertain words, it may be Moyes will conclude the £30m transfer fee he would command is now worth taking.
Marouane Fellaini has progressed at Everton to become one of the best players in the Premier League.
When he arrived at Goodison Park in 2008, he was more renowned for his voluminous hair and flailing elbows than his abilities on the pitch, but that quickly changed.
Whilst a specialist attacking central midfielder, 25 year-old Fellaini has filled in impressively at centre forward during injury crises, as well as in a defensive midfield role.
There seems little he cannot do on a football pitch.
As well as fulfilling the old adage ‘good feet for a big man,’ Fellaini is a fine tackler, finisher and at 6’4″ naturally he is a huge aerial threat.
With a prospective nine match ban on the way though, David Moyes may well elect to cash in on his prize Belgian Blue in January, and Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are amongst the only teams who could afford the likely £30m price tag.
For Everton fans though, it will be a great shame if this is the last they see of Marouane Fellaini in their colours.
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