It was August 2012, and Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas had joined Everton for a bargain fee of £6 million from Olympiacos. Fans of the Toffees would delight in his first start for the club as he fired in two goals and provided two assists in a 5-0 demolition of Leyton Orient in the League Cup, followed by his debut domestic strike versus Swansea City on September 22 of that year.
Six Premier League goals and three assists would follow in that campaign, but his best season was yet to come. In 2013/14, Mirallas fired in nine goals and seven assists – including one of each in a 3-3 Merseyside derby draw with Liverpool – creating more chances than any other player in the side that year.
Yet that would see the Belgian reach his peak, injuries and inconsistent form finally seeing him moved back to Olympiacos on loan for the remainder of last season under the reign of Sam Allardyce as he never regained that early promise. It is no wonder, then, that at 30 years old Mirallas is looking for a fresh start at Fiorentina, as he becomes a senior player in the youngest squad on average in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Is it true that Everton closed the door in his face?
“Yes, it’s true,” Mirallas admitted in last Saturday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I considered my journey in Liverpool to be over. I looked for a new challenge. Tottenham also courted me. The charm of the Premier League, the possibility to play Champions League football, new emotions. Instead, nothing. I was saddened. I couldn’t play football without feeling happy, and for a long time the real Mirallas hadn’t been seen on the pitch.
“Fiorentina arrived at the right moment and in order not to put the deal in jeopardy I accepted a reduced salary. I gave up on a lot of money but I’m happy. In Serie A I will rediscover my love of playing football. The great times will come back again.
“I can’t wait for my debut. I have been curbed by some annoying physical problems but that’s all sorted now. Next, I want to rediscover my game. That will allow me to contest for a place in the side and also for the Belgian national team.”
Mirallas will certainly face tough competition for places on the wing as Federico Chiesa and Marko Pjaca – the latter on loan from Juventus – are ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment. However, this could provide the push required for a player so very clearly jaded from his previous club, and his experience could prove vital in such a young Viola side.
Coach Stefano Pioli is excellent in terms of man-management, and the 52-year-old could help the former Everton man return to the form he is clearly capable of producing in this new environment.
“Do you know what hit me about this squad? Their character and commitment during training,” Mirallas continued in the same interview. “They work with great intensity. It’s great to be like this.
“Pioli? I looked for a Coach that had excellent ideas and created a beautiful relationship with his players.”
He may have felt like he was forced out at Everton, but Kevin Mirallas has clearly made himself right at home in Florence, and supporters will look forward to seeing his renewed enthusiasm bear fruit.
