Daily Mirror, David Moyes Interview: "Saha So Good"

Rob of the Rovers

Sunday Mirror wrote:

David Moyes took a gamble on signing Louis Saha last summer. Now he reveals that he has taken another - by rejecting a multi-million pound bid for the striker he believes is healing mentally as well as physically.

Saha arrived from Manchester United a year ago as an injury hit, emotional wreck - carrying the bagage that his spirit was as broken as his body. Howevever, Everton manager, Moyes, believes he is in the process of not just re-investing but rebranding himself.

Moyes said: "We knew we were taking a gamble with Loius in terms of his injuries. The thing was, we knew he was a top player, although I think its fair to say that he wasn't just injured physically but emotionally too because of all the problems he's had."

"There are some players who can find it much harder to deal with their injuries - they worry about it more than others - and I think Louis saw himself in that catergory. But I now see determination in him now. I see a new Louis Saha. I think he may be out to prove to many people that he is not injury prone. He is showing a determination to try and shake off that tag."

For a manager who has had such a limited transfer budget as Moyes, there could have been a temptation to 'cash in' on the Frenchman he signed for a song, a take the money and run. It is understood a bid of £10million was tabled but Moyes, having gone with his instincts on Saha 12 months ago, is sticking by them now, well aware that fully fit and functioning he would be worth £20million in todays market.

He added: "Louis Saha is one of the most talented players I have ever worked with. Yes, we took a risk with him considering the injuries he's had but he's played almost 30 games for us. What impresses me now is that he's not missed a day of pre-season, he's not missed a session, he's not missed a minute of anything we've done."

"If I had predicted that would happy to any of my staff, some of them might have said that we would have to be more careful with him. But he has come through everything having, I think, realised he's come to an age in his career when he knows he must start to do it. He's got a year left on his contract here at Everton and I think sometimes when players are in that situtation they are at their most dangerous because they have something to prove."

The fastest FA Cup final scorer ever, against Chelsea in May, he arrived at Old Trafford for £12.8m in 2004, but played just 124 times in four and a half seasons. However, he still contributed 41 goals and having scored eight for Everton, the 30-year-old could yet prove to be priceless. Moyes will offer Saha a new deal if he sees full evidence of his re-investment.

He added: "A fully fit Louis Saha in todays market would be worth an awful lot of money. We've had a big offer for him this summer, which is an indication of exactly how others think of his talent - we've chosen to reject it."

"I won't reveal who, or where, came from but it was an impressive offer, big money. Louis has nothing to prove in terms of his ability but what he does have to prove over the next year is his fitness. We doubted him ourselves, but the gamble is paying off."

Everton:

Last Season In The Premier League:

Top Scorer: Cahill ( Cool

Most Assists: Pienaar (7)
Most Fouls: Fellani (111)
Most Fouled: Pienaar (82)
Most Bookings: Fellani (12)
Most Red Cards: Cahill (1)
Most Appearances: Howard (38)

First 3 Games:

August 15 Arsenal H
August 23 Burnley A
August 30 Wigan H

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DONCASTER ROVERS PREDICTION LEAGUE CHAMPION 2008