Everton staff blown away by Moyes’ newest asset – ‘Physicals are something else’
David Moyes is looking forward to integrating deadline day signing Merlin Rohl into his Everton squad after the midfielder’s recovery from injury
Savinho of Manchester City and Merlin Rohl of Everton during the Premier League match at Etihad Stadium.
Savinho of Manchester City and Merlin Rohl of Everton during the Premier League match at Etihad Stadium.
Merlin Rohl’s reputation has continued to grow at Everton following his return from injury. The midfielder missed a month of action following his Premier League debut against Aston Villa as he dealt with a hip problem.
He made his comeback from the bench at Manchester City last Saturday and there is a belief at Finch Farm that he is about to make a big impression on the first team.
Reflecting on what he had seen of Rohl behind the scenes, David Moyes said: “We’ve been really impressed with what we’ve seen from Merlin. Certainly, his physicals are something else, they really are, so there’s lots about him we like.”
The Blues boss was desperate to bring in another option at the end of the summer transfer window and his search stopped with the 22-year-old, who spent the summer representing Germany in the Under-21s Euros.
A loan deal with Freiburg was agreed – one that will become permanent for a fee of around £18m provided Everton avoid relegation.
While Moyes said he would not place pressure on Rohl to adjust to the Premier League immediately, he is hoping the process of settling him into the Everton team can now begin.
The Everton manager said: “We’ll keep edging him in and getting him through when we can.
“It would be easier to put him in if we had games in Europe – it’s a bit harder when you’re having to win a Premier League game and you only get one go at it.
“But we’ve been hugely impressed by him.”
While Rohl was signed primarily to cover and compete with James Garner and Idrissa Gueye, Moyes believes his versatility will also be useful as the season continues.
He said: “He can play so many roles. We would have no problem tucking him in off the sides or maybe even putting him as a full back or a midfield player.
