Have you ever ever been driving house from work, strolling down the aisle of your native grocery retailer, going the sport and even simply sitting there zoning out in entrance of the telly, and puzzled, “What ever occurred to [insert random former Everton player’s name here]?”
My objective was easy: compile an inventory of obscure Everton gamers that you could be bear in mind out of your childhood or perhaps a few seasons in the past (area of interest, however not too area of interest, for those who’re nonetheless following).
Whether or not you could have fond recollections of those gamers or utterly forgotten they performed for the Blues altogether, be part of me for a stroll down reminiscence lane as we re-live some memorable (and never so memorable) Everton gamers that also cross my thoughts once in a while.
Apostolos Vellios (2011-2014)
Apostolos Vellios, Everton (Photograph by Peter Byrne/PA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs) PA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Vellios bought off to a scorching begin after becoming a member of the membership in January of 2011, scoring three targets in his first 4 matches for the U21s. Regardless of his nice type, Vellios by no means bought a lot of an opportunity with the primary crew below Moyes. While scoring three targets off the bench to begin off the 2011-12 season, he was then not noted of the squad regardless of his late-game heroics. Vellios went on to spend the rest of his time with the U21s or frozen out of the squad utterly earlier than becoming a member of Blackpool on mortgage in 2014 and leaving the membership shortly thereafter.
Vellios went on to leap round just a few golf equipment however couldn’t fairly discover his footing. On the age of 34, Apostolos nonetheless has his capturing boots on, scoring three targets for Greek second tier facet Niki Volos this season.
Blues could bear in mind Vellios most for his spectacular bicycle kick help to Nikica Jelavic in that thrilling 2-1 win towards Spurs in 2012.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Lacina Traore of Everton through the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on February 9, 2014 in London, England. (Photograph by Marc Atkins/Mark Leech Sports activities Pictures/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
At 6’8”, it was thrilling sufficient that Everton have been signing one of many Premier League’s tallest-ever gamers. Becoming a member of through the winter of 2014, not a lot was identified concerning the then-23-year-old (outdoors of his peak, after all). Following some success all through Europe earlier than his England arrival, followers have been anxiously awaiting what the brand new man up high may provide.
Sadly, Traore’s tenure with the Blues was a brief one. He will probably be remembered most for scoring one of many extra skillful targets you’ll ever see, serving to Everton to a 3-1 FA Cup Fifth Spherical win towards Swansea Metropolis on February 16, 2014. Traore then picked up a long-term hamstring harm and solely featured as soon as extra in a Blue shirt within the dying seconds of a 2-0 win over Hull Metropolis within the last match of the season.
Traore jumped round just a few extra golf equipment, however may by no means appear to seek out his early-career type. The Ivory Coast worldwide retired in 2022 on the age of 32.
Aiden McGeady (2014-2017)
Photograph by Julian Finney/Getty Photographs
It was an thrilling time, particularly for Irish Blues, when McGeady joined the membership in January of 2014. With Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, and Darron Gibson already established on the membership, Everton had their very own Irish five-a-side crew within the works. With loads of success in Scotland and Russia, it appeared like a well-deserved step up for the then-28-year-old.
In his first half-season season with the Toffees, McGready solely made scarce appearances off the bench, aiding as soon as in 16 PL matches. McGeady kicked on a bit in his second season with the membership, most notably offering three assists in Everton’s first 5 Europa League matches that marketing campaign.
The remainder of McGeady’s tenure was not as memorable. Following a string of accidents and poor performances, McGeady was frozen out of the squad within the 2016-17 season, becoming a member of each Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North Finish on mortgage. McGeady then joined Sunderland on a everlasting deal in 2017, the place he lastly re-discovered his type, recording 36G, 35A, and a whopping 21 yellow playing cards in 150 matches for the Black Cats.
McGeady spent the ultimate few seasons of his profession again in Scotland earlier than retiring in October of 2024 at 38.
Within the 2014-15 season opener towards Leicester Metropolis, McGeady scored his first and solely objective for the membership—however what a objective it was.
Photograph by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Photographs
Besic was a hard-nosed, but skillful defensive midfielder that had many Blues excited. So excited, that if my reminiscence serves me proper, hundreds of Blues discovered themselves on a late-night dodgy Youtube stream watching Besic for his former facet Ferencváros following the primary rumours of a transfer.
Besic was as versatile as they arrive, having the ability to play in a holding midfield function in addition to centreback if wanted (albeit a little bit of a wildcard when on the backline).
Besic actually got here into his personal within the 2014-15 season, taking part in in 31 video games and changing into an vital a part of the Blues’ Europa League and Cup sport efforts.
Regardless of a handful of appearances within the 2015-16 season throughout his second season with the membership, Besic confronted an insurmountable quantity of accidents which successfully ended his time with the Blues. In 2018, Besic did appear to lastly rediscover his type following two mortgage strikes to Middlesbrough, beginning almost each sport throughout his time with the Boro.
After a separate mortgage with Sheffield United, Besic rejoined his former membership Ferencváros. At 33, Besic now performs a vital half for his present facet Spartak Subotica within the Serbian first division. He only recently captained his facet in 4 straight matches (whereas at centreback, nonetheless).
Photograph by Lynne Cameron/Getty Photographs
Vlasic fell sufferer to Everton’s notorious “Summer time of Spending” in 2017. In an already crowded attacking area of Bolasie, Rooney, Walcott, Klaassen, and others (plus the arrival of Ademola Lookman in January of 2017), the then-19-year-old Vlasic discovered himself with the percentages stacked towards him early on in his Everton tenure. To not point out, Vlasic was additionally caught up in loads of managerial mixups when Sam Allaradyce took over for Ronald Koeman early on within the season.
Whereas scoring twice and aiding as soon as in Everton’s 2017-18 Europa League marketing campaign, he was successfully frozen out of the squad by Allardyce and once more by Marco Silva following the Portuguese man’s arrival in Could of 2018.
Vlasic then joined CSKA Moscow on mortgage earlier than signing with the Russian giants on a everlasting deal a season later. Like many former Everton hopefuls, Vlasic definitely went on to make a reputation for himself, recording 33G and 21A in 120 appearances in Russia, together with a winner within the Champions League towards Actual Madrid in 2018 and the winner of the Russian Premier League Footballer of the 12 months in 2020 (a lot to the chagrin of Evertonians far and extensive).
Vlasic made a brief return to the Premier League with West Ham in 2021 earlier than becoming a member of Serie A facet Torino a yr later. On the age of 28, Vlasic now finds himself taking part in a vital function for the Italian facet.
All the perfect, Nikola (clips have been laborious to return by).
Anybody we missed? Depart your ideas beneath (half 2, 3, 4, and 10 quickly to return).