Photo by PAUL ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PAUL ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Tim Cahill overlooked Everton teammate Steven Pienaar when choosing the most skilful player he has ever played with.
Everton fans have certainly been treated to some wonderful technicians over the years.
Just months ago, the Toffees boasted one of the Premier League’s best technicians in Iliman Ndiaye, whose dazzling footwork often got fans out of their chairs.
In more recent times, there was James Rodriguez. His stint at Goodison Park was brief, but he undoubtedly made a big impression with his technical quality.
There were also some great, skilful players during Tim Cahill’s time at the club – and the Australian has revealed the most skilful player he’s ever shared the field with.
Tim Cahill chooses the most skilful player he’s ever player with
Cahill has appeared in a new TikTok video for PD:FC Liverpool, and was asked a string of questions, such as the best current player in the world and best young ‘baller’ who’ll go to the very top.
He was also asked for the most skilful player he’s played with and against.
Most fans would perhaps expect Cahill to have gone with Steven Pienaar, who was a winger known for his excellent technical ability, ball retention and trickery. Plenty of full-backs had a hard time going up against him and Leighton Baines.
But Cahill actually stated that Mikel Arteta is the most skilful player he’s ever played with. Ronaldinho is the most skilful he ever played against.
Arteta was certainly a skilful player
Although Pienaar was perhaps the flashiest player of that era at Everton, with his low centre of gravity and rapid changes of direction, Arteta was undoubtedly a skilful player in his own right.
He had that typical Spanish technical ability that allowed him to work well in tight spaces, and he was also an excellent set-piece taker. He showed this just a couple of months after making his debut for Everton, scoring a stunning free kick in a game against Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta for Everton (2005-2011)
Appearances – 209
Goals – 35
Assists – 35
Plenty more free-kicks would follow, as well as penalties.
Arteta’s technical quality also allowed him to operate comfortably in wide positions, which often helped David Moyes out immensely.
He was never a quick player, but his touch and intelligence saw him thrive in the blue of Everton, and it’s little wonder that Cahill has called him the most skilful player he played with.