Kevin Mirallas has admitted he nearly left the club this summer in an exclusive interview with the Liverpool Echo, while also expressing his happiness to remain at the club.
The Belgain had been linked away from the club previously but agreed to sign a new deal after the club had shown ambitions of keeping their best players. James McCarthy had been linked with a move to Spurs while speculation of John Stones’ future spanned the full transfer window.
The winger explained: “It’s possible last season, or the season before, that Stones goes to Chelsea, McCarthy goes to Tottenham, and I go to another team. Now it’s changed.
“It’s a strong club and a strong team, and when you see the chairman signing new deals for players, you think this season is the season.”
Both the management staff and the boards resilience to sell their top players had impressed the forward and convinced him to sign a new deal that will see him at Everton for the foreseeable future. Kevin even admitted that the desire to keep the clubs best players was unusual in his time at the club, branding it “a change in mentality,”
Mirallas also spoke out on his ‘difficult’ time at the club. The Belgian had struggled to find a resolution over his future and reduced time on the pitch was met by many of fans that the forward was on his way out.
“I know I spoke two or three times with papers in Belgium saying I didn’t know about my future.
“After January when two teams wanted me, I talked with my manager and chairman and asked what I do now. He told me to wait for a new contract and I waited, but it was not coming and I was a little bit angry.
“Now after the pre-season I played hard and worked hard and had a good talk with the manager, he said it was a good opportunity to sign a new deal, and I’m happy. So is my wife!”
Mirallas has not started a match since the season opener against Watford, and has expressed his desire to get back on the pitch.
“When you play a lot of games, you’re not in every starting 11,” added the Belgian.
With the team hitting form, Mirallas may struggle for game time but with Reading fast approaching in the FA cup it could be a chance for the winger to get some game time under his belt. This could also give the player a chance to prove himself, and potentially replace Kone on the wing.
