- Tony Bellew hopes Everton keeps Iliman Ndiaye
- Boxer believes two wins must be enough to secure Europe for next season
- Tony Bellew has praised David Moyes for an exceptional job this season
Lifelong Everton and former boxer Tony Bellew has never hidden his passion for the Blues. As the first team prepare to face Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night, Bellew has offered his thoughts on the club’s European hopes, the importance of keeping Iliman Ndiaye, and the impact of Jack Grealish.
Everton still have a chance to qualify for Europe, but consecutive defeats have made the task tougher. Bellew believes the next two games could be decisive. Tony Bellew recently sat with NYSportsDay and talked about his passion for the club.
Bellew: ‘If we can get two wins, I believe we can get Europe’
Bellew reflected on how quickly the picture has changed. “If we’d beaten Liverpool we’d have been on 50 points, gone above Chelsea and been two points behind Liverpool. But then we go and lose away to West Ham and it’s a completely different picture. That’s the Premier League this season. Two wins can send you right up and two defeats can drop you right back down.”
He added, “If we’re able to get something against [Manchester] City on Monday night, which is a big ask, that would be huge. But I think the deciding games now are Spurs away and home to Sunderland. If we can get two wins I believe we can get Europe but if we can’t salvage two wins from these last four games, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
The former boxer spoke warmly about taking his family to watch Everton abroad. “I want to take my kids round Europe, I want them to see Everton Football Club play abroad. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky enough to see it, when we beat Wolfsburg 4-1 back in 2014, that was one of my favourite nights ever as an Everton fan.”
Bellew doesn’t want Everton to sell Iliman Ndiaye
Tony Bellew was clear about which player Everton must keep. “I’m just praying no one comes and makes a silly money bid for Iliman Ndiaye in the summer. I haven’t seen any other player in the Premier League this season who wants to work as hard going backwards as he does going forwards. He’s exceptional.”
‘He was the most fouled player in the league’: Bellew backs Jack Grealish
Tony Bellew also praised Jack Grealish, whose season was cut short by injury. “It’s been a difficult couple of months for Jack Grealish because you’ve got to understand he’s been at Manchester City and had those massive highs. Then you come to Everton where expectations are a lot lower and now he’s had this injury, which is so hard on him because he was playing really good football.
“He was the most fouled player in the league, which tells a story in itself. We’ve missed his ability to go at players and dribble with the ball. But the gaffer has managed the squad brilliantly since he’s been out. I know he’s got a year left at City, but I don’t know if anything has been or will be sorted for next season, but I’m hoping it can be.”
On the prospect of Tottenham being relegated, Bellew identified a potential target. “If Spurs go down that club is getting absolutely raided. That Micky van de Ven is some player.” And on a possible return for Richarlison, he said: “Oh absolutely. In a heartbeat.”
‘He’s been absolutely brilliant’, Tony Bellew praises Moyes for a brilliant job
Many fans have lately criticised David Moyes. Tony Bellew dismissed any criticism of the manager. “I don’t know who’s been giving him [Moyes] stick because it wasn’t anyone sitting near me, that’s for sure. He’s been absolutely brilliant. To play the hand with the cards he’s been dealt has been phenomenal. He’s spent very little money.”
With four games remaining, the European dream is still alive. Bellew’s passion reflects the mood of Everton fans everywhere. They remain hopeful, realistic, and desperate to see the Blues back on the continent.
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