Johan Elmander has caught the eye of David Moyes as the Scotsman looks to add to his struggling Everton side. With transfer funds only available from the sale of players, Moyes will either have to sell or offer an exchange deal to have any chance of signing the Swede.
Elmander has been as impressive as Everton has been poor this season appearing in every game for Bolton and finally finding his form in front of goal with nine league goals. Since arriving from Toulouse in 2008 for a club record £8.2million he has never seemed to vindicate the price tag and went through an 11 month goal drought during 2008 – 09.
He seems a different player to the aloof figure of last season and is not only scoring goals but scoring them well. He looks much more comfortable on the ball, his footwork has improved and he has shown some brilliant skill. The question remains, however, as to whether this is simply a flash in the pan surge in form or proof that the 29 year old has finally adapted to life in the Premier League?
Owen Coyle’s tactics have encouraged Elmander’s development with Bolton shedding off the “long ball specialists” tag playing some tremendous football this season. With Elmander dealing with the ball to feet much more than in his previous two seasons at the Reebok he has revelled in the new system.
Whether Elmander would want to leave Bolton is far from certain with Everton struggling in the league and the Trotters scrapping for a place in Europe. AT 29 Elmander would surely stay put if Bolton does qualify for the Europa League as it’s probably the last taste of European football he will get.
The pressure on him to succeed at Everton would also be huge as Moyes would have to offload one of his players in order to lodge a bid and Bolton would want to make a profit on their £8 million spent to bring the player to England. Comparisons between the player sacrificed and Elmander would inevitably appear – a crushing blow to both player and manager if the move proved unsuccessful.
Personally I think Elmander should, and will, stay at Bolton. He has looks at home within Coyle’s system and Everton simply don’t have the means to organize a substantial enough bid for the player. The former Toulouse players’ player of the year simply has no incentive to move to Everton as both clubs’ fortunes have reversed completely this season.
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