Former Everton striker Jermaine Beckford has commented on leaving Goodison Park after just one year with the club.
David Moyes wants to shop in the Championship again as he approaches another transfer window as Everton boss.
That means Moyes is looking to recreate some of the transfer magic he conjured up in his first spell.
Joleon Lescott, Tim Cahill and John Stones became stars after being plucked from the Championship by Moyes, and we could see a return to that approach.
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Jermaine Beckford on leaving Everton
Moyes also pounced to snap up Jermaine Beckford from Leeds United in 2010, landing the striker on a four-year deal.
Beckford had been a sensation at Leeds United, smashing 85 goals in just 152 appearances.
The forward hadn’t even scored above League One level when Moyes secured his signature, months after a winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Beckford scored eight times in 32 Premier League games for Everton, including a stunning solo effort against Chelsea.
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Come the end of the 2010-11 season, Everton cashed in and sold Beckford to Championship side Leicester City.
The move seemed curious, as Beckford showed some promising signs in the Premier League, but Everton sold him after just one season.
Speaking on Under the Cosh, Beckford admitted that he loved his time at Everton, but wanted to play more games.
After being told that he wouldn’t play quite as much in his second season, Everton accepted a £3.5million bid from Leicester.
Beckford feels that Everton simply wanted to cash in and take the money after signing the striker for free, which he understood.
“I’ve always wanted more football. More time, more time, more time. I want to play every single minute of every single game,” said Beckford.
“And as much as I loved playing for Everton – and I loved it – I just wanted more. And I was told I wasn’t going to play as many, so that in itself was a little bit of a kick in the teeth, because I felt like I did pretty well there.
“I went on a free and a year later they’re being offered £3.5million plus add-ons. So from that perspective, they’re looking at quick turnaround, money in the bank.
“There was adequate cover for one of us leaving, and Everton have not really, in terms of the financials, Everton haven’t been one of the massive spenders or gainers in terms of the finances. There’s that famous Tesco saying, ‘every little helps’, and a very similar situation there. That’s just my perspective,” he added.
Jermaine Beckford was never able to return to the Premier League
Everton sold Beckford in fairly swift fashion, despite an encouraging first season at Goodison Park.
The decision didn’t really come back to haunt Everton, though, as Beckford endured a nomadic career after leaving the Toffees.
Beckford scored 15 times in 49 games for Leicester, and then nine goals in 22 appearances on loan at Huddersfield Town.
Beckford continued his Championship career with 11 goals in 51 games for Bolton Wanderers.
A drop into League One followed with Preston North End, though he fired the goals to take the Lilywhites back to the Championship.
Beckford retired as a Bury player in 2019, meaning he never played in the Premier League again after leaving Everton.
That is actually somewhat surprising given Beckford’s goalscoring ability, but perhaps Everton got it right by selling him on.