Around the time Everton were linked with a move for Ramiro Funes Mori, very few had ever heard of him. Me included.
As not many had ever heard of him, obviously questions were raised. Is he good enough? Will he adapt? Well from what I saw in the Merseyside derby, yes he IS good enough and yes he CAN adapt to English football.
Funes Mori began his Everton career away at Reading in the cup where he was arguably to blame for Reading’s goal as he didn’t track Blackman at the back post. Although Everton went onto win the match 2-1.
Then if we look onto his third game in Everton blue – his second in the Premier League. Again, he was partially to blame for West Brom’s second goal after over-running in possession when he should have played it safe.
Despite a few little mistakes in his first couple of games I wasn’t worried; a player coming over from Argentina is always going to take time to adapt. You have to accept the odd mistake.
Now, if we look at Sunday’s Merseyside Derby, Stones and Coleman were ruled out despite late hope and Baines was a definite no.
This meant Funes Mori would be starting; alongside Jagielka, Browning and Galloway. At the time, I worried a little. Only Jagielka from the back four had played over 15 Premier League games and they’d be going up against rivals Liverpool, a fixture Everton have struggled in, in recent years.
Whilst watching the game I noticed a maturity in Funes Mori’s game. He, like Jagielka, was helping young Browning and Galloway out. He was getting across to cover, he was decisive, it was a great defensive performance.
He slotted alongside Jagielka brilliantly for the game, it looked like an assured partnership. For any non-football fan you’d never be able to tell it was only his third Premier League appearance.
You can see he had learned from his recent mistakes, he wasn’t overplaying at the back. He played when he could but cleared his lines when there was danger. On 7 occasions he cleared the danger and 5 times he made vital interceptions. Combined, it was more than anyone else on the day.
He also made 2 blocks and won 60% of aerial duels – which is good as he dealt with Martin Skrtel on set-pieces.
Although Stones will be back after the international break meaning he’ll most likely be back in the side, I’d like to see Martinez play both with Jagielka. I think this would work well when Coleman and Baines are both back fit in the first team.
It has been a mixed start to Funes Mori’s Everton career, but this is only the beginning…
