David Moyes makes bold claim about Everton squad, demands credit for this
By Matt Farr
Former Everton boss David Moyes insists that his recruitment at the club is one of the main reasons behind their current success.
The current Sunderland chief spent 11 years in charge of the Merseyside club, guiding them through a series of highs and lows that saw them establish themselves as a regular threat for European football.
One of Moyes’ greatest achievements throughout his Goodison Park tenure was during the 2004-05 season, when he masterminded a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Champions League.
The Toffees are currently flying high once again under Ronald Koeman, but Moyes believes that he deserves considerable credit for their recent success.
Speaking to TalkSport, he claimed that his recruitment policy during his time at the club is one of the main reasons why Everton are where they are today.
He said: “With Everton, it was quite a good group of senior players – a bit older.
“Over the years we were able to bring in Tim Cahill, Andy Johnson, Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar, [Phil] Jagielka, [Leighton] Baines, [Seamus] Coleman, [Tim] Howard, Phil Neville – you could go on and on with the names we brought in.
“And that recruitment is probably why Everton ended up being in the strong position they are in today.”
Many of Moyes’ signings remain at the club today, including defensive trio Jagielka, Baines and Coleman; but while there may be evidence to support his claim, it is still a bold statement given current manager Koeman’s pedigree.
It is also one that could rile Everton fans ahead of their meeting with their former boss on Saturday.
The 53-year-old may well have built the foundations for Koeman’s squad, but the Toffees fans will be keen for their side to show him that they’ve moved on from his tenure when the two sides go head-to-head.
22 points currently separate the two sides in the Premier League standings ahead of Saturday’s tie, with Moyes’ current club rooted to the bottom of the table.
In other Everton news, the club had a sensational approach for this £230,ooo-a-week proven Premier League performer turned down last month.
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