Everton were linked with Raheem Sterling recently, but Robin van Persie’s latest assessment suggests the Toffees won’t have any regrets.
Everton held talks with Sterling after he terminated his contract with Chelsea, and seemingly there was a chance he could have been signed.
Could we see George as a number nine? 😮
Lee Carsley on Tyrique George.
Sterling was frozen out at Chelsea so his exit had been on the cards.
Once he became a free agent, the winger had interest from plenty of clubs, before he decided to join Feyenoord.
Sterling had a poor debut for Feyenoord, and in recent days Robin van Persie made some comments to suggest Everton won’t have too many regrets.
Former Everton target Raheem Sterling could take weeks to reach full fitness
Speaking ahead of Feyenoord’s game with FC Twente, van Persie said of Sterling (via Goal): “It’s always allowed, but I would say it’s better when we are six to eight weeks further along
“If you then find that he isn’t delivering and you can back up that opinion, then I say ‘Okay you have a point’. But throwing out such strong opinions on the basis of half an hour, I think that’s inappropriate.”
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Sterling came in for criticism after his cameo against Telstar, prompting van Persie to defend him.
Raheem Sterling playing for Feyenoord.
Photo by Dennis Bresser/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Everton’s Jack Grealish also defended Sterling, branding the criticism ‘stupid’.
Sterling made his second appearance for Feyenoord against FC Twente, but could not make an impact coming off the bench.
The Mirror compiled some assessments from Dutch media outlets, with NOS branding his introduction as ‘futile’.
No regrets for Everton
It’s unknown how close Sterling really was to joining Everton, or what the main reason was for the move not happening.
But it’s already looking as though the Toffees won’t be having too many regrets.
For van Persie to suggest that the winger may take six to eight weeks to get up to full fitness is quite significant.
Raheem Sterling playing for Feyenoord.
Photo by Peter Lous/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images
That’s a long time, and Everton need not have been waiting that long while paying him a fortune.
In the end, Everton brought in Tyrique George on loan, which is a far more sensible bit of business.
Yes, he doesn’t have a lot of experience at the top level. But George has given a few lively cameos already and is match fit and ready to make an impact now, which is precisely what Everton need.
It’s nothing against Sterling, who has been a top player. And hopefully he will eventually rediscover his mojo over in the Netherlands. His situation just is what it is, and suggests Everton won’t be missing out.
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