Morgan Schneiderlin starred for Everton in their 2-0 win over Sunderland.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has told the Liverpool Echo that whilst it’s difficult to know whether the club would have been closer to the top six had they signed Morgan Schneiderlin last summer, he’s delighted to have him on board now.
The Toffees eased to a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, as Idrissa Gueye and Romelu Lukaku struck in each half to seal a comfortable win at Goodison Park.
It’s now nine Premier League games without defeat for Everton, who have won six and drawn three since losing at home to Liverpool on the 19th of December.
Koeman’s men are impressing right now, sitting four points behind sixth placed Manchester United, and six points off the top four – though four of the six teams above Everton all have games in hand.
Whilst Gueye and Lukaku took the plaudits with their goals, midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin enjoyed arguably his best performance for the club since arriving from Manchester United during the January transfer window.
The Frenchman, 27, reunited with his former Southampton boss Koeman last month in a big-money move, and turned in a dominant display against Sunderland, impressing both on and off the ball.
Schneiderlin has added quality to an Everton midfield that already contains Gueye and Tom Davies, and Koeman has been raving about his new signing following Saturday’s performance.
Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj in action with Everton’s Morgan Schneiderlin
Koeman was asked by the Liverpool Echo whether he felt Everton would be nearer to sixth-placed Manchester United had they signed Schneiderlin last summer rather than in January, with the Dutchman suggesting that it’s ‘really difficult’ to know, but he’s happy to have Schneiderlin now – especially alongside Gueye.
“It’s really difficult to answer that because you never know but we are happy that we have Schneiderlin in now,” said Koeman. “He is a big signing for Everton. I’m not surprised by Schneiderlin’s level because I know the player.”
“He needed game time to get into his rhythm but he’s such a good player and he showed that in all aspects of football today. In his pressing, his tackles, comfort on the ball and then he had Gana back on his level next to him which is good because you need a strong midfield with competition,” he added.
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