With the Colombian media making a big coverage of Everton this season, there was time when they were having doubts about Yerry Mina’s future at the club.
With the defender getting full of ups and downs, there was even a time when the Toffees started getting linked to other centre-backs, and local stories wondered if that would mean his departure from Goodison Park.
However, with Mina’s performance in Everton’s 2-0 win against Leicester City last night, it seems things completely changed in the player’s home country.
Marca brings a story today where they highlight the player’s ‘redemption’ with the Toffees, claiming he’s ‘thrown away the doubts’ and ‘built a wall’ in the team’s defence.
They start by recalling that the 26-year-old had been benched, and claim that it only showed he was not the main issue.
“His performance was not for which Liverpool’s blue team paid 32 million and his decline was affecting the results. Carletto had no choice but to relegate him to the bench in the duels before Leeds and Manchester United, but the cracks in the back became more apparent. The problem was not only the Colombian.”
Mina’s recovery started in the 1-0 over Chelsea last weekend, and for that, Marca highlights how well he did against the Stamford Bridge side.
“The first round against the Blues Mina came out the winner in the face to face with the attack of 150 million. In that meeting Everton took the challenge seriously and the performance of the Cafetero was remarkable: six recoveries, six clearances, three interceptions, one block and no fouls: These numbers were worth it for Rio Ferdinand, historical Manchester United central defender, to fill him with praise.”
Then came the game against Leicester City, which they describe as: ‘The former Santa Fé player spoiled the night for Vardy sand again left clean sheets”.
With Carlo Ancelloti claiming the defence was ‘solid’ in his post-match interview, Marca takes the manager’s quotes and writes: “Carlo Ancelotti’s message could not be clearer, Yerry Mina has redeemed himself and Everton once again has the confidence that they needed deep down”.
