Kevin Thelwell made Everton promise to Orel Mangala before Deadline Day deal
Kevin Thelwell would have promised Orel Mangala plenty of game time at Everton ahead of his loan move from Lyon, according to Dan Bardell.
The Toffees confirmed the signing of the Belgium international on 31 August in an initial loan deal from the Ligue 1 side.
The former Nottingham Forest man has signed at Goodison Park on a temporary deal with a £33.7million option to buy next summer [Florian Plettenberg].
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell suggests the 26-year-old will help shore up the defence after being assured regular minutes across the season.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Bardell said: "I think he'll help the defence and firm them up.
"Everton are low on confidence and they've been pretty open in their first two games. They have had some problems in defence, so someone like Mangala with Premier League experience will help.
"I think it is a good pickup. He has had a taste of the league with Forest and will be keen to come back.
"He'll have some assurances over his game time overwise he probably wouldn't make the move."
Orel Mangala joins Everton in Deadline Day deal
The Belgian completed a move to the Toffees despite last-gasp interest from Fiorentina which threatened to derail a potential deal [Gianluca Di Marzio].
The midfielder will be a positive addition to Sean Dyche's squad on Deadline Day after a poor start to the season defensively, conceding ten in three Premier League games.
Mangala has useful experience in the top tier from his spell with Forest and will add physicality to a somewhat lightweight Toffees midfield.
Alongside star signing Tim Iroegbunam, Dyche may have found a duo that can help his side secure more positive results as the season moves on.
In other Everton news, Sheffield Wednesday in last-gasp hunt for one wantaway defender.
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