Everton have had some world class players pull on the blue shirt, but also a long line of individuals who were simply past their best by the time they joined.
Here’s a line-up of players who could’ve been great for the Blues, in an alternative universe.
- Goalkeeper – Richard Wright
A once promising keeper, Wright’s time at Everton did not quite work out. Joining in 2002, the England international suffered a series of embarrassing injuries, including falling out of his loft while packing away suitcases. He eventually lost his place to Nigel Martyn.
- Left-back – Nuno Valente
The Portuguese international joined the Blues in 2005 upon the advice of Jose Mourinho, who managed him at Porto where he won both the UEFA Cup and the Champions League, as well as 2 league titles. Evertonians never really saw the best of Valente and, after falling down the pecking order, he retired in 2009.
- Centre-back – Ashley Williams
Williams established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders with Swansea, but failed to settle to life at Goodison Park in a three-year spell with the Blues. Perhaps most remembered for sparking a brawl in a Europa League tie against Lyon.
- Centre-back – Marco Materazzi
The Italian World Cup winner spent a solitary season with the Toffees in 1998/99, receiving 3 red cards in 27 games. He would go on to lift the Champions League with Inter in 2009/10.
- Right-back – Djibril Sidibe
Sidibe won Ligue 1 with Monaco and lifted the 2018 World Cup with France. The full-back had a season-long loan with Everton in 2019/20, but the club opted not to make the deal permanent.
- Left-wing – David Ginola
Ginola joined Everton in 2002, but played just 5 times before retiring.
- Centre midfield – Paul Gascoigne
Gazza joined Everton in 2000, linking up with former Rangers boss Walter Smith. Spending 2 years with the club, Gascoigne scored his first goal for the club – and his last in English football – against Bolton in 2001.
- Centre midfield – James Rodriguez
The best Everton player that we never got to see. Rodriguez linked up with Carlo Ancelotti for a third time when he joined the Blues in 2020, but after a lightning start, the Colombian suffered reoccurring injuries and left for Qatari side Al-Rayyan after just 1 year.
- Left-wing – Andy van der Meyde
Joining from Inter for £2 million in 2005, Van der Meyde could have been a signing that transformed Moyes’ Everton. With unquestionable ability, the Dutchman is remembered more for enjoying Liverpool’s nightlife than football. He was released after 4 wasted years in 2009.
- Forward – Mark Hughes
Hughes had a long and decorated career throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, arriving at Goodison Park as a 37-year-old in 2000. He played 18 times for the Toffees, scoring once.
- Forward – Samuel Eto’o
Without doubt one of the greatest strikers of his generation, Eto’o joined the Toffees in the summer of 2014, but would depart for Sampdoria the following January. The Cameroon international left Goodison with a record of 4 goals in 20 games.