Focus on Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini has been quoted as saying his time at Everton is coming to an end. Adam Bate looks at the midfielder's growing importance at Goodison Park.
Monday 12 November 2012 13:36, UK
Adam Bate discusses Marouane Fellaini's importance to Everton at a time when it appears he could be looking to move on.
Flemish newspapers don't usually resonate strongly on the streets of Bootle, Croxteth and Kirkdale. But Everton fans would have been alarmed to discover Marouane Fellaini's apparent plans for the future in Sunday's edition of Het Nieuwsblad. "I have started my fifth season at Everton," read the quotes attributed to the Belgian. "This will be one of my last seasons. I have seen everything. In January, or at the end of the season, I will look for another club or league." Aside from the curious thought that, like Patrick Stewart in Extras, Fellaini has "seen everything" in his time with the Toffees, it's a worrying development. The 24-year-old has rushed to distance himself from the quotes, claiming on Monday to be "very happy" at Goodison Park, but it would be only natural for Everton fans to start wondering just what they could soon be missing out on. Plenty is the obvious answer. Fellaini captured the headlines - no mean feat on Robin van Persie's debut - with a dominant display against Manchester United in his side's opening game of the Premier League season. Playing an advanced role in the hope of exposing Michael Carrick at centre-back, Fellaini didn't so much take part in the game - he took over. Gary Neville told Sky Sports viewers that the Belgium international was "unplayable" and while it is understandable that many would linger on the contrast with the out-of-position Carrick it was noticeable that even the formidable Nemanja Vidic had no answer to the 6'5" man in blue.| PL 2011/12 & 12/13 - Midfielders Only | Headed Shots |
| Fellaini, Marouane | 22 |
| Cahill, Tim | 16 |
| Bale, Gareth | 12 |
| Johnson, Bradley | 9 |
| Osman, Leon | 8 |
| McClean, James | 8 |
| Derry, Shaun | 7 |
