Source: Liverpool_Echo
Greg O’Keeffe: Steven Pienaar may find there’s no place like Everton FC
TOO MANY Everton players have already fallen victim to the lure of that freshly-mown green grass on the other side of the fence.[LNB]It's a phenomenon Steven Pienaar should mull over, before departing for the World Cup in his home country in June.[LNB]Speculations refuses to go away about Pienaar being linked with richer Champions League clubs.[LNB]It has almost become an accepted wisdom that, should he perform to his full potential this summer, he will attract the interest of some sides capable of making offers he may well be unable to refuse.[LNB]Bayern Munich and Chelsea, among others, have already been mooted as potential suitors.[LNB]Undoubtedly the 27-year-old has enjoyed his best season so far in royal blue. Sublime goals against Arsenal at the Emirates and Manchester City at Goodison, have illuminated his usual work-rate and flair to a widen audience.[LNB]So far he has insisted that he is happy at Everton. Some Evertonians, however, would be forgiven for thinking they had heard all that before.[LNB]For Nick Barmby see Francis Jeffers. For Francis Jeffers see Thomas Gravesen. For Thomas Gravesen see Wayne Rooney. For Wayne Rooney, turn to page 2009 and see Joleon Lescott.[LNB]Hands up who still flinches at the good-natured Goodison push to get Barmby into the England squad (from fans as well as top brass let's not forget)?[LNB]But aside from Wayne Rooney, how many of these wanderlust-struck stars have actually thrived away from the club?[LNB]Last week David Moyes explained that Everton are making progress on contract negotiations with Jack Rodwell and Pienaar.[LNB]But he reiterated that Everton is undoubtedly the best place for the duo going forward.[LNB]'Steven is at a club that really suits him and you have to decide what's best for you.[LNB]'Everton has been very good for Steven,' he said.[LNB]'Things are ongoing with Jack, as well. He's got four years on his contract anyway, but we are in talks with him.[LNB]'Everton has been the best club for them and they'll probably end up thinking this is the right place for them,' he added.[LNB]'In the main the players who stay will say it's been the right decision.[LNB]'I think the players here recognise we're very close to being a top side and if I was them I'd be saying there's no need to go.[LNB]'I don't feel I need to sell anyone. They're all under contract.[LNB]'Yeah, there will be some with contracts a bit lower than you want but every club has got the same scenario.[LNB]'I think some of them will look and say, 'Everton is right for me'.[LNB]'It's a good club, a progressive club; the manager's ambitious, trying to take the club forward. Going somewhere else for a little bit more isn't always the answer. I'm actually relaxed about the whole situation with players because if anybody wanted to leave it would only be poorer for them.[LNB]'It's tended not to work for people who left.'
