Everton Catalyst Returns
By Mike Whalley
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright believes the permanent return of Steven Pienaar has been the catalyst for a new mood of optimism at Goodison Park.
It may have been Marouane Fellaini at the centre of attention since starring in Monday night's 1-0 victory over Manchester United, but Kenwright is keen to highlight the transfer activity that has allowed manager David Moyes to add to a squad often stretched to its limits last season.
Central to that activity has been the return of Pienaar, a move that was only made possible by careful negotiation and judicious use of Everton's tight budget.
The South Africa midfielder, sold to Tottenham in January 2011, rejoined Everton for £4.5 million after spending the second half of last season on loan at Goodison Park.
Moyes has also signed former Rangers forward Steven Naismith on a free transfer and striker Kevin Mirallas from Olympiacos for £5.3 million, using some of the money raised by Jack Rodwell's £12 million sale to Manchester City.
The return of Pienaar has been the key according to Kenwright, who concluded complex negotiations with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to make the deal happen.
"Just because you finish one season playing fantastically doesn't always mean you can carry it through to the next season," Kenwright told the Liverpool Echo.
"You know, so many times we've thought we've just missed out and can't hold on to it. There has been an uplift in the spirit this summer. We knew how important Steven was and that was not an easy negotiation to deal with.
"Tottenham were very decent to deal with but it wasn't easy. It took a long, long time to sort that one out. Naismith was done relatively quickly and then all of last week it was Olympiakos.
"I think I'm a fan before I'm a chairman, before I'm the majority shareholder. I wanted Steven, and so did David Moyes, so we all felt as one on that."
Kenwright felt that the win over Manchester United was a fitting tribute to his mother Hope, who died in June aged 93, and who regularly attended matches at Goodison Park.
"It was a great night at Goodison," he said. "That was for my mum that one. Yes it was hugely emotional for me."
