“I’m completely past worrying” – Everton man explains icon talks over position change

Everton midfielder Merlin Rohl insists he is not bothered where he plays, even if that means continuing in his new right-back role.

The 24-year-old is now settled on Merseyside after joining the Blues in a permanent €25m deal in the summer transfer window.

He was initially on loan with the Toffees from Freiburg last season. That deal included an option for the move to be made permanent this summer, which was ultimately the case.

That raised some eyebrows given that Rohl managed just 974 across 20 appearances last season, largely after injuries kept him out early on in the campaign.

Everton, and David Moyess, appeared unsure on how to use him, with the midfielder playing seven games as a number ten, seven as a second striker, three in central midfield, two on the left wing and one on the right wing across the campaign.

Right-back switch

This season he’s added a new position to his repertoire – right-back. He started the season in the position as Everton started the season without a player in that position. It was the first time in his professional career that he’d even played in the role.

It seems he’s not concerned, though. Instead, he sees the role change as holding great potential for him.

“I’m completely past worrying about which position I play now,” he told Kicker.

“You can offer the team different things depending on the situation, and in that sense, the specific position becomes completely secondary.

“It was a process for me; it wasn’t always that way. The people in charge at Freiburg, in particular, might remember it differently, as there were discussions there about my preference for playing as a number eight.

“It developed through a process and very close dialogue with Leighton Baines.

“He was one of the best in the world in that position (full back). Then there’s Seamus Coleman, another legend here, who also played as a full-back. These are two people who have become very important to me and from whom I’m learning an incredible amount.”

Healthy competition

He’s not even concerned about the arrival of Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the end of the summer transfer window.

The right-back joined the Toffees on the final day of the transfer window, signing in a €4m deal from Lyon.

He’s quickly made an impression at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with several impressive performances under his belt after being put into the first team immediately by Moyes.

That’s pushed Rohl back down the pecking order, but he’s not concerned.

“We can learn from each other,” he added.

“We have slightly different profiles when it comes to our play with the ball. That gives the coach another option in this position. I simply want to keep improving so that I’m good enough to play every game.”