I KNOW it could be difficult but for Everton, keeping hold of Steven Pienaar this summer could be the most important deal in a long time.
To say he’s changed Everton’s fortunes since he came back in January would be an understatement.
The stats tell their own story, and you realise just how massively influential he’s been.
Seven direct assists in the space of four months is impressive, more so considering he did not play in any of the cup games.
The headline grabbing antics of Nikica Jelavic have been enormously rewarding, but would the big striker have hit the net so many times without Pienaar’s incisive passing and probing?
I look back at when he was sold to Spurs in January 2011, and wonder if we really knew just how vital he was to the team, and what we were losing?
Of course, Everton had tried to keep him and in the end the lad went to North London for better money and a crack at playing Champions League.
At the time it was understandable, and I don’t think there was much anger aimed at him from the Everton fans, although some pockets of the crowd were still unforgiving when he initially re-signed.
Any of that has long gone now, because Pienaar has done it where it matters.
Who knows what would have happened if we’d had him available for selection against Liverpool in the FA cup semi final?
His style and ability has lifted the fans and players. Having a player with that ability back in your ranks, as a player really inspires you.
You watch him in training and suddenly it rubs off on the lads around hiom. Maybe they try to raise their games that extra bit, or they do their best to get the ball to Pienaar in advanced positions on the field.
They certainly know the South African won’t lose the ball. I don’t think I’ve seen him give it away once since he came back. That in itself is a boost, especially when it’s a highly pressurised game and you can give it to him in tight areas and he’ll retain it, or better still set up an attack.
* Read more: Everton FC are your priority, David Moyes warns Jack Rodwell
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