Merlin Röhl picked up his first Premier League minutes in the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa but wasn’t involved for Everton in their derby defeat to Liverpool at the weekend.
David Moyes explained the 23-year-old was absent for the match against Arne Slot’s side because he’d picked up a small injury and was therefore unavailable for selection. Last season the youngster had a few fitness issues whilst with SC Freiburg, and the German club have now explained that those fitness issues were partly behind their reason to sell.
Röhl moved on a loan deal which becomes permanent should Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League. There were some questions asked around the Bundesliga club about the wisdom of selling the talented young midfielder in the summer.
Sporting director Jochen Saier has now explained the club’s reasoning when agreeing the transfer to Everton.
FussballTransfers quote Saier as saying: “There were external factors such as injuries and illness, for which Merlin cannot be blamed and which we have to accept. After his return in the second half of the season, things went well for the team, and it wasn’t easy for him to get into the starting line up.”
The director went on to explain that a balance had to be made, and there was the possibility of the player being held back: “What role will Merlin play for us? In which position will he secure and consolidate a starting spot? […] What difference will he make in terms of scoring points? Because if you don’t make a transfer like that, you have to keep a real, consistent return on the pitch.
“Merlin, too, was keen to take this exciting step, the conditions were right for us. Merlin was only very rarely used in the centre, at six or eight, but was mostly deployed in the attacking positions. Especially behind the striker, we have personnel options in Johan Manzambi, Eren Dinkci, and Yuito Suzuki, whom we believe will develop well with regular playing time.”
