Gary Lineker has been once again chatting about Everton, one of his former clubs, on his podcast.
The 63-year-old, who enjoyed a sole year at Goodison Park in which he famously hit 40 goals across all competitions, would then swiftly trade Merseyside for Barcelona.
However, despite the swiftness of his stay, it seems the Toffees made a big impact on him, as he still supports them today alongside his beloved Leicester City.
Not only that, but his career was hugely boosted too, as he has sought to laud one of his former teammates.
Which former Everton player did Gary Lineker praise?
Featuring in a squad that boasted such a plethora of match-winners, it is unsurprising that Lineker would name one of those players as one of his favourites to play with.
After all, there are so many to choose from, with the deadly Kevin Sheedy boasting a wicked delivery alongside Trevor Stevens and Peter Reid.
Everton FC v West Ham United – Premier League
However, it was a striker whom he named one of his best-ever club partners, as he told The Rest is Football podcast: ‘I’d probably go Alan Smith for Leicester or Graeme Sharp for Everton.’
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Even if his presence on the old board that drove the club into this financial state has diminished his reputation amongst fans, few can argue with the quality of the Scotsman during his playing days.
An Everton team that feels many lifetimes old
Back then, during the roaring 1980s when Merseyside football reigned supreme, Everton were so often around the top of that tree.
In fact, between 1981 and 1990, only one team other than the Toffees and Liverpool actually claimed the first-division title, now the Premier League.
It was a period of unbridled competition, but also positivity, as Howard Kendall had forged a hard-working team full of top-quality operators including the likes of Sharp and Lineker.
Everton v Fulham – Carabao Cup Quarter Final
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However, this duo merely scratched the surface of what was a truly unstoppable team, filled to the brim with confidence in their own ability and the talent to back it up.
A European Cup was welcomed to Goodison Park during this period too, only making today’s nightmarish form all the harder to take.
Many fans grew up around this period, where Everton’s motto, ‘Nil Satis Nisi Optimum’, was actually the standard.
Nowadays, that has slipped dramatically, and it feels like the ethos of this once-great institution has gone awry. With Sean Dyche now seeking to drag his confidence-shy outfit away from relegation once again, this super team of old has never felt farther away.
