David Moyes has made a strong start to his second spell in charge of Everton, but it will take a lot to match what he achieved in his first stint on Merseyside. The Scot had a 12-year reign at Goodison Park first time around, where he managed 518 games, winning 221 of them.
Although he never guided the Toffees to any silverware, Moyes, who left the club to manage Manchester United in 2013, turned them into a consistent top-four challenger.
Fourth place was the highest he took the club in 2004/05, finishing in the top half eight other times.
Moyes had some iconic players at his disposal in that first spell, with Marouane Fellaini one that springs to mind.
Fellaini’s time under Moyes at Everton
Belgian international Fellaini is certainly someone who could be classed as a cult hero of the Premier League. The now 37-year-old was brought to Goodison Park by Moyes in 2008/09, joining from Standard Liege, whose academy he is a graduate of.
Well, the midfielder, who stands at six foot four, shone under Moyes during their time together on Merseyside.
He played 173 times under the Scot in that famous Blue shirt, scoring 32 goals and assisting 24.
His best campaign came in the final season the pair spent together at Goodison Park, 2012/13. That season, Fellaini scored 11 times and chipped in with five assists in 31 top-flight games.
He was a huge aerial threat, with this header in the season opener against Man United an example of how deadly he could be in the opposition box.
The Everton manager clearly appreciated a player of Fellaini’s profile in his squad. Back in 2011, he explained in an interview that “he is a bigger threat than most because of his size, he can create goals and can be disruptive to the opposition.”
Of course, now Moyes is the Toffees manager once again, he might be looking for their new Fellaini. Over the summer, he may have signed the perfect player to execute the role.
Moyes’ new Fellaini
When looking to replicate Fellaini, it is clear what profile Moyes needs in his squad. A tall, physical midfielder who is strong in duels and can have an impact crashing the box, looking to get on the end of crosses and disrupt play.
This summer, Everton signed 23-year-old German midfielder Merlin Rohl on loan from Freiburg, with an obligation to buy him for £17.3m at the end of the season.
Well, standing at 6 foot 4 himself, Rohl could be the ideal candidate to fill the Fellaini role.
Although he’s only played once for Everton so far, after picking up an injury, the Berlin-born midfielder showed his value in a Freiburg shirt. In 60 appearances, he bagged three goals and assisted six.
This strike in the Europa League shows exactly the kind of chaos he can cause in the opposition penalty box.
Indeed, the underlying numbers from his last two full seasons in the Bundesliga show how much of a threat he can be in and out of possession.
For example, he won an average of 5.7 duels per 90 minutes last season, and the campaign before created 1.2 chances each game.
Chances created
1.2
0.9
Forward passes
6.6
4.7
Aerial duels won
1.4
1.6
Ground duels won
4.2
4.1
Ball recoveries
6.3
4.6
One of the real strengths of Rohl’s game is the versatility he can bring to Everton’s side. The 23-year-old, described by Klemens Hartenbach as a player with “enormous potential,” can operate anywhere in midfield and has even played out wide.
This was something that Everton tactical analyst Matt Smith pointed out over on X, explaining he is “capable of playing in multiple positions” in midfield. Yet, Smith said that he sees Rohl “playing slightly deeper” in the future.
With his height, goal threat and ability to win duels in midfield, it is easy to see how Rohl can become Moyes’ new Fellaini.
He is certainly a unique profile in this Everton squad, and, once he is back from injury, it will be fascinating to see how the Scot deploys him.
