Everton had some of the best players in the Premier League during David Moyes’ first reign at the club.
David Moyes put together a really top side on limited finances, and consistently had Everton challenging the top four.
In fact, the 2004/05 Premier League season saw the Toffees finish in fourth place, thus qualifying for the Champions League.
Moyes and his recruitment team were fantastic at spotting gems from lower leagues and abroad, with Tim Cahill and Seamus Coleman notable examples.
With that said, there was another shrewd recruit during that time who Ashley Cole has now described as a proper ‘big moment’ player.
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Ashley Cole says Leighton Baines was the best ‘big moment’ player in Premier League history
Speaking to TNT Sports’ TikTok account, former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole created his ultimate Premier League defender.
Cole had to select one player for each trait, and went for the following.
Right foot: Gary Neville
Left foot: Gareth Bale
Speed: Kyle Walker
Strength: Micah Richards
Heading: Ashley Cole
Football IQ: Patrice Evra
Big moment ability: Leighton Baines
Cole expanded on his Leighton Baines selection, stating: “Do you know what, I’ll go with Leighton Baines for his free-kicks.”
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Baines actually scored six free-kick goals in the Premier League, which almost puts him in the top 10 alongside the likes of David Beckham, James Ward-Prowse and Frank Lampard.
Rickie Lambert recently said Baines had the best left foot he’s ever seen, so clearly the Toffees full-back was really rated among his peers.
Leighton Baines is now David Moyes’ sidekick
After his successful playing career, Baines has become a coach and is actually Moyes’ assistant manager.
Steven Naismaith explained that Baines sees the game really well and is a fantastic coach on the training pitch.
“Bainesy is somebody who wants to make sure he’s making the right choice, and then when he’s done it, you do see his knowledge and his understanding,” Naismith said earlier this year.
“I think the way he sees the game is different, and the way he teaches it. Even when I was playing with him, the way he would describe different situations, he delivered it in a different, really clear way.
“I know, 100 per cent, he will have helped the Academy players that he was dealing with, and now that he’s stepped up, it will be the same for the senior players as well because he’s very good.”
Perhaps Baines could become Everton manager one day, but for now, it’s Moyes who’s attempting to return the club back to Europe.
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