Everton vindicated as sad Yerry Mina situation leaves Colombian ‘practically in tears’ Wednesday
Yerry Mina’s latest injury blow appears to have proven Everton right in allowing the centre-back to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
The 28-year-old was arguably the best defender in the squad at Goodison Park over his five years at the club following a move from Barcelona.
But his extensive injury record made his availability an ongoing concern as he made just 99 total appearances for Everton in that time, with only eight coming last season and 14 the campaign before.
The Toffees therefore decided not to renew his contract at the conclusion of last term, with the tight finances at the club no longer able to stretch to paying high-quality players not to play, the presence of Andre Gomes on the final year of his own deal notwithstanding.
Mina has subsequently joined Fiorentina but hasn’t yet played a minute and looks he will have to wait for his debut as he appears to have suffered another significant injury on international duty with Colombia on Wednesday.
Tutto Mercato Web report that the former Toffee was left “practically in tears” as he was substituted in the 22nd minute of the goalless draw with Chile, suggesting the problem was not insignificant.
Everton have made more than their fair share of errors in the transfer market under the stewardship of Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright but the decision to let Mina leave for nothing looks like the right one.
If regularly available Sean Dyche would no doubt have been delighted to keep him, and sizeable transfer offers would likely have come in at some point over the past two years.
But neither was the case and a miserable situation has continued to potentially leave Mina facing yet another rehab to get back playing, showing the financially-challenged Toffees couldn’t afford to take that risk.
Everton fans will largely have good memories of the defender and will wish him well in his recovery, but those memories proved to be too few and far between and sadly it looks like his luck has yet to improve.
In other Everton news, £500m missing amid advanced takeover talks as doubt clouds deal.