Gosling is making a far worse error than Everton

It was the transfer story that came out of nowhere. Dan Gosling, a steady if promising young player at Everton, suddenly taking the club to a tribunal to force a free transfer away from the club.

We may never know exactly what went on but it seems Everton believed Gosling would sign a contract extension that they verbally agreed on some time ago.

Somewhere in the middle of that though Gosling has suddenly developed an oversized ego and began making demands regarding regular first-team football, his preferred position and level of wages.



Yes this is Dan Gosling we are talking about, not Jack Rodwell, who is a genuine talent worth keeping. He has scored two memorable goals against Manchester United and Liverpool I admit, but he still had some way to go before he could consider himself a first team regular. He certainly isn’t good enough to start demanding he play in central midfield (ahead of Fellaini, Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Rodwell and Osman? Er I don’t think so).

Everton must take some of the blame for their administrative blunder as they will now miss out on a transfer fee (though I don’t think Gosling is worth the £4million quoted) but they must also feel a bit let down by the player who has effectively played the system and betrayed the club’s trust in order to secure a big money move for himself.

It is no surprise then that Newcastle are set to sign the midfielder. Despite their relegation two seasons ago they don’t appear to have learnt their lesson. Their struggles, both on and off the pitch, came largely down to unmotivated, over paid players who happily at on their wages while the club spiralled down the division.

Gosling will no doubt pocket a nice signing on fee and earn £25,000 a week - a frankly ridiculous sum for someone of his ability.

With it now though will be the ego and the belief that he has now made it. The moment a player believes his own hype is the moment they lose the motivation to improve and their career grinds to a halt (Evertonians have heard it all before – Francis Jeffers and Danny Cadamarteri being two examples)

If that's the case with Gosling, then maybe Everton are better off without him.