Player Everton snubbed in 2021 now on fire at Real Madrid and has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or
Everton’s recruitment during Farhad Moshiri’s tenure in charge was really hit and miss.
Moshiri’s scattergun approach saw a number of big-money flop signings, with the likes of Davy Klaassen and Jean-Philippe Gbamin instantly springing to mind.
Everton also missed out on a number of top players, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bruno Guimaraes and, famously Erling Haaland.
There is another player who they had the chance to sign in 2021 and he’s gone on to become one of the best players on the continent.
He’s been flourishing at Real Madrid this season.
Former Everton target Arda Guler on fire at Real Madrid
Back in 2021, Cenk Toson recommended Everton to sign Arda Guler, who at the time was a relative unknown at Fenerbahce.
“Everton asked me,” Tosun explained to Ajansspor. “I mentioned Arda from Fenerbahce (back in 2021). They looked but did not make a move because he was under 18.”
As the story goes, Guler ended up becoming one of Europe’s hottest properties and was snapped up by Real Madrid in 2023.
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Now, aged 20, the Turkish playmaker is a regular for Real and has netted two goals whilst laying on an assist in just four La Liga outings this season.
Arda Guler tipped to win the Ballon d’Or
Former Fenerbahce forward Mert Nobre admitted earlier this year that Guler has the ability to win the Ballon d’Or one day.
“I had the opportunity to see Arda debut at Fenerbahce,” Nobre explained. “A true football talent, something I haven’t seen in Turkey for at least 15 years. His qualities and personality are higher than I imagined.”
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Nobre added: “He has all the qualities to make it (Ballon d’Or), but there is still a long way to go. This journey starts with the decision to stay or leave Real Madrid. A wrong decision could be a big obstacle in his career, especially if his goal is to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Clearly, Everton have made a big error in not acting upon Tosun’s recommendation, as Guler is on course to become a world-class operator.
