Yarmolenko would favour games at Everton over the bench at Barca
Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
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04/02/2016
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Andriy Yarmolenko says that his next move would have to be to a club where he was guaranteed to be playing week in, week out rather than making up the numbers at one of Europe’s giants.
The Ukrainian international almost signed for Everton last August until Dynamo Kyiv owner Igor Surkis decided instead to keep him for his club’s Champions League campaign but the links with a move to Goodison persisted throughout the January transfer window.
A medial knee ligament injury might have lessened his chances of securing the move last month to “a bigger league” that Yarmolenko has been very open about pursuing as would Dynamo’s progression to the last 32 in Europe but more good performances in the Champions League and then at Euro2016 are likely to make the 26-year-old a hot commodity in the summer.
With Barcelona and then Arsenal reportedly emerging as competition for Yarmolenko’s signature in recent months, most Evertonians had probably written off their chances of landing a player who many feel could add more genuine star quality to Roberto Martinez’s team.
However, the latest comments from the player himself are encouragingly down to earth and offer hope that he would still consider a move to Everton should Martinez follow up his interest with another approach for him at the end of the current season.
In an interview with Ukrainian news outlet Futbol, Yarmolenko was asked whether he would prefer to play twice a week at Goodison Park than sit on the bench at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
“It is better to play at Everton,” the versatile attacking midfielder replied. “Of course you can go to Barcelona, make a cool selfie with Messi, put the images on Instagram and get a million likes and be pleased with yourself. But I’m not one of those.
“For me it is important to play matches. If I do not play twice a week, I have nowhere to throw out the emotions and energy. My family will go mad. If I play, the next day I am all calm and smile. If I missed the game and lay in the house, I immediately run into a quarrel.”
Reader Comments (25)
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“Of course you can go to Barcelona, make a cool selfie with Messi, put the images on Instagram and get a million likes and be pleased with yourself. But I’m not one of those.”
Ha, got to love that kind of attitude – good on yer Yarmalenko – get yourself across here for a selfie with Deulofeu and Lukaku before he disappears
“Yarmolenko was asked whether he would prefer to play twice a week at somewhere like Goodison Park than sit on the bench at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. ‘It is better to play at Everton'”.
“somewhere like GP” – so not necessarily GP.
Actually Brent (6) those were my words but, in retrospect, I think he was specifically asked about Goodison because he says “Its better to play at Everton.”
Ive edited the original piece accordingly.
But, like Stephen says, it’s all just hypothetical based on the fact that we were so close to signing him. We probably don’t stand a chance of getting him if we’re not in Europe – not unless he shows us the same loyalty as he has to Kyiv!
I think Niasse will fill the left attacker slot that Yarmolenko would have suited. I suspect the priority in Summer will be replacing Stones and Lukaku. And Howard.
These comments solidify my good opinions of the Ukranian though.
‘…I will immediately run into a quarrel’
With his family?
Oh yeah this is my kind of player – let’s get this lad signed asap.
If he’ll pick a nark with Mrs Yarmolenko and the kids when he doesn’t play, just imagine the grief he’ll give to teammates who don’t put in a shift.
I like this lads attitude, and theres no doubting his skill and effort. I think our time to sign may have passed and he is really in the limelight now.
Come the summer we will be in pole position to sign him, although we know he will have many suitors, but if he fancies the Prem, we must be in the mix.
More likely, its where we would accommodate him with Niasse set for the left hand birth ?
This is still probably a longshot. He’ll have a lot of suitors in the summer and his price will be high. I was desperate for the guy in summer but now that Barkley has stepped up to take the attacking mid role, I’m okay with missing out on Yarm.
My main worry is losing Lukaku and Stones. We’ll have a ton of money to spend but that never seems to quite work out for most clubs. They usually end up with high-priced mercenaries. I’d almost rather use that money to build a new stadium.
Good player, but trying to use us. Should be told to do one.
Besides our next manager might not like him.
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