Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe has claimed in an interview with Journal L’Est Éclair that he wanted to stay at Everton after his season-long loan deal at Goodison Park last season.
The Frenchman joined Marco Silva’s side at the start of last term as a backup to skipper Seamus Coleman. He played no part in the first seven league games, but was a regular from then until the end of the season.
Sidibe played 28 games for the Toffees in all competitions and picked up five assists. There were rumours about a permanent move to Merseyside over the summer, and the Frenchman claims he was open to that.
He has revealed that he even received a proposal from Everton to extend his stay at the club. However, the Toffees failed to reach an agreement with Monaco and the Frenchman returned to his parent club.
“I had a proposal to extend my stay in Everton. But staying there wasn’t just up to me. The two clubs discussed it and couldn’t come to an agreement,” Sidibe said.
“In this case, there is nothing we can do about it; it’s the football club that received other concrete proposals, from English, German and Spanish clubs, which didn’t meet my expectations. So I preferred to play it safe and go home to Monaco, to a club with which I’ve had a lot of success.”
Sidibe only had nice things to say about Everton. He praised the fans and the competitiveness of the Premier League. He also revealed that he can’t wait to return to England in the future; either to Everton or to another club.
He said: “I joined a team whose captain, an emblematic player, played in my position. However, I was able to find my place, to play between 25 and 30 matches during the season, being good, performing well, with good statistics.
“The Premier League breathes football, the stadiums and the fans are fantastic. I also had the chance to rub shoulders with Carlo Ancelotti, a world-renowned coach. Yes, I will only have good memories of my time in Everton. I can’t wait to return to England in the very near future.”
Seamus Coleman is still the first-choice at Everton, while Jonjoe Kenny has also been given chances. The Toffees don’t quite need another right back at the moment, but things could change at the end of this season.
There were a lot of rumours about interest in Kenny from clubs in the Premier League as well as in the Bundesliga. Coleman, on the other hand, is 32 already and Everton might have to start looking for his successor.
Sidibe certainly had a good time at the club and, if his words are to be believed, Everton wanted him to stay. A reunion is a possibility in the future but, for now, the Frenchman will remain a Monaco player.
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