Anwar El Ghazi explains how Everton move came about
Anwar El Ghazi has admitted that he saw Rafa Benitez’s sacking at Everton coming after his January transfer to the club happened ‘quickly’, speaking to Dutch outlet Elf.
Benitez signed El Ghazi on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season but was sacked just five days later following yet another defeat that has the club battling with relegation.
But El Ghazi says he had been paying attention and saw the move as a ‘great opportunity’ for himself while admitting that he doesn’t think his playing chances have decreased since the former manager’s exit.
“I have been around in the world of football for some time and I know about what is going on,” he said. “The fans did not particularly like Benitez and the results were below expectations.
“As for whether his dismissal would have an impact on my chances? I never thought of that, to be honest.
“I focus on the training sessions and the matches. It does not really matter which coach takes charge of the training sessions. I think I am doing well in training and I am ready to take my chance when opportunity knocks.”
“The style of play introduced by new manager Steven Gerrard leaves no room for wingers like me. That’s the moment you have to decide to try your luck elsewhere.
“My agent asked me if I wanted to keep on playing in the Premier League and I said yes.
“Everton showed an interest in me two days later. I thought this was great opportunity for me and then things went quickly.”
Weird
The deal was a weird one from the start but it seemed to be even stranger after Benitez was sacked just days after the move was completed.
Credit to El Ghazi though, he’s got his head down and worked hard to try and become part of Lampard’s plans despite the signings of Dele Alli and Donny Van de Beek.
The Dutch winger plays as a more traditional wide man, but Lampard has opted for narrower teams so far with Alex Iwobi earning a recall in the pecking order.
El Ghazi is a goalscoring winger though and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured again and Demarai Gray still recovering, there is an avenue for him to get into the team and show he is what they’re missing.
If he can fire the Toffees to safety as he did with Aston Villa a couple of seasons ago then he’ll be very fondly remembered for what is likely to be a brief stint on Merseyside.
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