Former Everton defender Shkodran Mustafi has recently admitted that he felt he was not given a proper chance by former manager David Moyes, who signed the German in 2009 on a free transfer from Hamburg.
Little did Everton know how much potential that Mustafi actually possessed, as six years on he is one of Europe’s most commanding and sought after central defenders, holding a release clause at Spanish giants Valencia of a staggering £37 million as well as being a German international.
After three unsuccessful years at Goodison Park, former boss David Moyes took the decision upon himself to allow Mustafi to leave the club on a free transfer; an opportunity in which Italian club Sampdoria pounced on and acquired the towering defender’s services.
The 23-year-old recently told Spanish newspaper Diario of his experiences under David Moyes and Everton, telling the media that he had no choice but to take a risk and leave Everton in order to pursue a career elsewhere – a risk that has more than paid off for the German.
When I first arrived in England, I spent three years without a game with the first team – just one game in the Europa League. I didn’t want to be there just to earn money and not play. You sign a three or four-year contract but if you are not playing, what happens after that? That was a tough time for me.
It is clear to see now that Everton made a mistake in letting Mustafi go as the powerful centre half has gone on to enjoy success across Europe and has more than made a name for himself, fulfilling the potential that Everton once signed him for.
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