What The Papers Say - 12 December

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

David Moyes has cast doubts over the future of top scorer Louis Saha.

Everton boss Moyes has questioned the French striker’s fitness and still has to decide whether to use him from the start or send him on as a substitute at leaders Chelsea today.

Saha hit the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history against Chelsea in May and is certain to take some part in the action.

He certainly made an impact when introduced against Spurs at Goodison Park on Sunday. His side were 2-0 down and looked set for a second consecutive league defeat in front of their own fans.

But Saha struck a spectacular reviver and Everton went on to grab a point through a Tim Cahill equaliser and Tim Howard’s late, late penalty save from Jermain Defoe.

It was the 11th goal of the season for Saha, signed by boss Moyes last year after years of fitness problems at Manchester United.

Moyes has been delighted with Saha’s contribution to Everton, who are still paying a small fee to United for every appearance he makes.

Saha has certainly done much more for the Merseysiders than he managed for United, but in recent weeks Moyes has felt he wasn’t up to a full game.

“He’s been complaining about a calf strain and not feeling 100 per cent,” said Moyes. “We’ve brought him in and out.

“It was the same earlier in the season, I can think of Fulham in particular.

“It got him up and running and he was flying again.

“It made a difference and helped him to get back into it.”

But Everton are more concerned about the contract situation of the 31-year-old, who will be free to speak to foreign clubs next month under the Bosman ruling.

Roma, Bordeaux and Atletico Madrid are already being linked and there are a number of other clubs who are showing interest.

Moyes added: “His contract is up in June so we know he can talk to foreign clubs in January.

“We’ve been speaking to him. We are happy with him and we would like to keep him here.”

Moyes doesn’t think Chelsea’s comeback win at Wembley will have any effect today.

“That’s water under the bridge,” he said.

“They also beat us the season before in the Carling Cup semi-final. But we’ve done alright against them in the league.”

Davis Moyes believes Louis Saha can help Everton’s climb up the premier league table – even if he is half-fit.
The Blues manager was delighted with the Frenchman’s typical strike that prompted his side’s fightback against Spurs, and is convinced there is more to come from him.

Everton are currently in talks with Saha, who is out of contract in the summer and free to talk to foreign clubs in January under the Bosman rules, and Moyes unsurprisingly hopes he stays.

“He’s been complaining about a calf strain and he’s not felt 100 per cent with it,” said the Scot. “We’ve brought him in and out.

“It was the same earlier in the season when he came off the bench against Fulham and won us the game. It got him off and running again.

“It made a difference and helped him to get back into it. That’s the same way he’s coming off the bench now.

“Hopefully we can get him back to full fitness again and flying. His contract is up in June so we know he can talk to foreign clubs. We’ve been speaking to him (about a contract). We’re happy for him and would like to keep him.”

Saha is on the brink of double figures in Premier League goals, no small feat considering his limited involvement in games so far.

And Moyes feels that the creative influence of team-mate Steven Pienaar has also benefited the team.

“He’s one of our key performers,” said Moyes. “We missed him when he was out for 10 games. Since he’s been back he’s made a difference. He was an influence from the wing and because we’ve lacked a bit of creativity we’ve used him more as a central midfield player and he’s done well there too.

“We know he plays in behind a striker for South Africa, so I know we can play him in several positions and he’ll do well for us.”

Moyes has had to rely on the positional flexibility of key players so far in this campaign, but he acknowledges Tim Cahill’s return to his favoured central role has coincided with a return to form.

He said: “In the last few games he’s been back to his favourite position. But before that because of what we’ve had available he’s had to play in other positions, on the right and on the left, at times.

“Tim’s had one or two opportunities lately and missed them. I can think of one against Stoke. It’s done him good to score, and on his birthday as well which was nice for him. It was a Tim Cahill type of finish.”

Carlo Ancelotti warned his Chelsea players: Find form against Everton or you’ll be axed.

The Italian has made it clear that they have one last chance in their home game today to prove themselves, saying he will not tolerate their three-game blip extending to four matches.

Last chance saloon: Ancelotti has issued a demand to his players
Chelsea have lost two of those — against Blackburn in the Carling Cup and Manchester City in the league — and also slipped to a disappointing 2-2 Champions League draw against APOEL Nicosia.

The 2-1 defeat at City last Saturday cut their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier
League to two points.

‘I want to give a chance to the players who lost against Manchester City,’ said Ancelotti.

‘This is their last chance. They can lose and make mistakes but they have to show intensity for 90 minutes.’

He expects those under-pressure players to prove a point against Everton, who have an impressive recent record at Stamford Bridge, drawing on their previous three visits.

Ancelotti added: ‘The mentality in these 10 days has not changed. The situation is under control. You will see that on Saturday.’

The Chelsea midfield will feel most under threat. With Michael Essien out for up to four weeks, Ancelotti has called on John Mikel Obi to raise his game.
‘He has to improve, but he is very young.’

Everton have opened discussions with Louis Saha over a new contract in an attempt to prevent the French striker walking away from the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Saha’s appearance-based deal at Goodison Park expires in June and he will be eligible to open talks on a pre-contract with foreign sides from Jan 1. Both Roma and Bordeaux are believed to be considering approaching the 31 year-old after the most prolific start to a season in his career.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, said yesterday that the club wanted to keep him but acknowledged the striker was now in a position to dictate the progress of negotiations.

Everton and Tottenham consider January bids for Michael Owen. “We have been speaking to him,” said Moyes. “His contract is up at the end of the season, so he could speak to foreign clubs in January.”

One Everton target, Landon Donovan – the United States forward – is “close” to finalising a six-month loan deal at Goodison, according to Moyes. The Scot takes his side to Chelsea today without injured defenders Joseph Yobo or Sylvain Distin.