Has David Moyes Pulled off another Transfer Coup with His Latest Dutch Import?
With all the late activity of the transfer window I feel one important signing has gone unnoticed and under most peoples radar. David Moyes and Everton secured the signing of Royston Drenthe of Real Madrid on loan for the newly begun 2011-2012 season.
A player who only a few short years back was coveted by giant European clubs like Liverpool, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Ajax amongst others. A player with every raw ingredient you would need to make it as a top level footballer.
Born in Rotterdam he excelled in their youth ranks and was pivotal in the Netherlands clinching the European Under-21 Championships in 2007 claiming the golden boot for best performer. Scoring an impressive seven goals in twenty four appearances despite his defensive positions and diminutive size it was not long before admirers began to start taking notice.
However he chose the wrong option just when his development and reputation was soaring, he penned a deal with the mighty Real Madrid. No one would have done anything differently, the most glamorous club in the world. Any sane professional would have answered the call.
Like so many other players (Rafael Van Der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder etc) before him Royston did not get the chance in a politically engulfed club were you don’t get picked on performance or merit but are selected by name only. Drenthe is adaptable to play in most positions admirably as of his Dutch total football upbringing but is most comfortable at left back or on the left wing.
Although Drenthe is only on loan he is desperate to gain stability and Everton is the perfect place for him in a globally viewed league with packed stadiums and national coaches watching almost every game. Madrid do want to sell him so if he forced a move I think they would buckle under the pressure.
Everton have taken their chance and I believe it is a master stroke, although only time will tell of course. Most players settle into the city of Liverpool easily and rarely have a bad word to say especially in recent times with the city undergoing massive regenerisation (over £5 billion). Toffee players rarely want to move clubs as the Everton setup along with the passionate fans and city create a good atmosphere for their families to prosper in.
If he stays injury free then I see no reason why Evertons best summer signing would not become a fan favourite especially during these hard times the Merseyside club finds itself in. I think if the player was made available for less than ten million pound then the blues would surely have to bite the bullet and try to purchase him.
The club has reduced debt in this transfer window and I believe was using it as a cooling off period to appease the banks so with another fruitful campaign they should gain enough money to finalise a deal should the possibility present itself.
Even in a worst case scenario Drenthe will add creativity and pace to the Everton team for the season and push the club on to another top eight Premier League finish. The man from the land of orange has already scored on his reserve debut and is looking forward to making an impact.
‘I am so excited to be here, I just cannot wait to get started and prove myself again, I did not get the chance at Real so it is like a new beginning. Jose wanted me to go to Portugal but I was determined to come here once I knew of the interest of Everton’.
This kind of drive will only help his stock to rise again, watch out for the return of a forgotten man!
