Everton midfielder Merlin Rohl is still settling in at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but he has loved his introduction to the Premier League.
Everton beat Fulham 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, ending a run of just one win in seven Premier League outings.
David Moyes had every right to be frustrated after Everton’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland, but the response against Fulham was perfect.
Everton were certainly the better side, but Moyes wasn’t completely satisfied with his side’s display.
Moyes felt that Merlin Rohl struggled a little, as the Everton midfielder attempted to get up to the speed of the game.
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Everton’s Merlin Rohl on life in the Premier League
Rohl joined Everton from Freiburg on transfer deadline day and is still settling in at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The German has bags of talent, but an injury set him back early into his Everton career.
Adjusting to life in the Premier League is tricky, but Rohl believes that he is well-suited to English football.
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Speaking on Everton’s official website, Rohl said that he had some ‘good minutes’ against Fulham, even if Moyes felt he struggled with the pace of the game at times.
Rohl added that the Premier League suits him ‘very well’, and thinks that he can fit in with the speed of play.
“It always depends on the situation; on the appearance I had. The fourth appearance [against Fulham], I had some good minutes,” said Rohl.
“In every situation, you need to adapt. But I think this league fits me very well. Every person talked about it – that it’s very fast and I’m a fast player, so maybe I can fit in. And that’s what I feel when I’m on the pitch. I like to run, I like to go deep and to work behind,” he added.
Rohl certainly backs himself, and if he already thinks that the Premier League suits him, then it’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for him at Everton.
David Moyes is taking an understandable stance on Merlin Rohl
Everton fans want to see more of Rohl in action, but it’s clear that he needs time to settle.
Rohl wasn’t a nailed-on starter for Freiburg, so immediately taking on a starring role at Everton was always going to be unlikely.
Moyes is looking to bring Rohl along gradually, and the small issues over his performance against Fulham justify that stance.
Ultimately, Everton may need to ramp up Rohl’s minutes ahead of Idrissa Gueye’s Africa Cup of Nations duties.
Gueye’s December departure means somebody must step up in midfield, and that could be Rohl.
Moyes could even change Everton’s formation in order to accommodate both Rohl and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in midfield once Gueye returns.
Rohl will make his impact over the course of the season, but regular Premier League starts may be a while away yet.