EVERTON FC’S summer was understated yet significant.
The celebration for Tony Hibbert’s first goal for the club aside, the Blues have quietly gone about their work and shuffled the pack with minimal fuss.
Tim Cahill left at a time when his opportunities were on the wane, but his cult status as strong as ever, whilst Everton cashed in on the potential of Jack Rodwell.
In came Steven Pienaar, Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas.
More are expected to follow.
And manfully, the Blues also look to have fended off the interest in Leighton Baines to everyone’s great relief.
But their biggest and boldest act is still to come.
The club have 10 days left to resist any approach for Marouane Fellaini.
If any enquiries have been made for the 24-year-old then they have yet to emerge but last night’s iron man performance against Manchester United will only encourage clubs to make a move.
It is hard to believe the Blues have gone all summer without being sounded out over Fellaini.
But thankfully he remains an Everton player and picking a man-of-the-match was satisfyingly easy.
Keeping the Belgian on Merseyside will give the club a platform for a sustained shot at winning back European football this season; he is that important to what they do.
Without a style easy on the eye, but one that is fiercely effective, Fellaini offers versatility in a period of Everton’s history when money has been limited.
Moyes needs every signing to give him variety and adaptability – Fellaini fits just about every possible mould.
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