Everton carried out some poor moves while Marcel Brands was in place as Director of Football.
This was not always down to the Dutchman – in fairness – who found himself overruled by Farhad Moshiri on many an occasion, mainly when Salomon Rondon and Rafa Benitez were brought to Goodison Park against his wishes.
Brands himself is said to have wanted players like Erling Haaland and Luis Diaz at Everton – who have gone on to find stardom elsewhere – while Marco Senesi was also targeted, according to the Mirror (via HITC) in July 2020.
Now – according to Mirko Di Natale – Everton are once again keen to sign Senesi after he entered the final six months of his contract at Bournemouth.
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Everton want 2020 Marcel Brands target Marco Senesi
The Toffees are said to be on red alert as the Argentina international nears free agency this summer.
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Borussia Dortmund, Roma and Juventus are also said to be keeping an eye on the 28-year-old.
It comes after the Mirror claimed in July 2020 that Brands was eager to bring Senesi to Everton while the Argentine was at Feyenoord – where he played under Arne Slot, who was a big fan.
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Brands himself used to represent Feyenoord, and hoped his strong relationship with the Dutch side would help him strike an agreement.
However, Senesi eventually sealed a £10.5m move to Bournemouth in August 2022, where he has played a key role in helping the Cherries rise up the Premier League.
The South American has also proven himself as one of the most effective defenders in the attacking third since arriving on these shores, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in 103 appearances so far.
What Marcel Brands said about his time at Everton
Had Moshiri put more faith in Brands, Everton could have been in much better shape nowadays.
The 63-year-old memorably told NOS in an exclusive interview that Moshiri would tell him to think of players he did not want as a “gift” for Benitez while basically being overruled, while he also “had to argue like a fool to keep” Carlo Ancelotti from being sacked after just three defeats.
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Howard Kendall, Carlo Ancelotti and David Moyes all managing Everton Football Club.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Serena Taylor/Newcastle United.
Brands said: “Everton is a wonderful club, but ultimately I didn’t get the satisfaction I would have liked. As soon as you think you’ve got a bit of a grip on things, you quickly lose it again.
“A transfer is then pushed through because the manager knows a player and the owner goes along with it under the guise of, Marcel, you may be right, but see it as a gift for the manager.”
So, while Everton fans would much rather see the aforementioned Haaland – who has wished Jack Grealish well – or Diaz join this summer, Senesi on a free transfer would not be a bad addition whatsoever.
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