English Premiership
Pienaar urged to stay
2010-07-30 09:35
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Johannesburg - Just how significant Steven Pienaar is at Everton was highlighted by more calls from senior players urging him to stay but also warning him that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Pienaar has been a subject of speculation since the end of last season and has been linked to several top European clubs among them Liverpool and Inter Milan.
However, Everton captain Phil Neville believes a move away from Goodison could be the worst decision by Pienaar and another transfer subject Mikel Arteta.
Neville believes Everton are just on the brink of major silverware and that the current squad is the best ever assembled by manager David Moyes.
Arteta has been in negotiations over a new deal for some time but is yet to sign while South Africa international Pienaar is now entering the final year of his contract.
That the two are central to Everton’s success is undisputable as they have featured regularly and made significant contributions last season.
“We want them to stay and that’s the bottom line. The manager and fans obviously want them to stay. They’ve got a great environment to play in. I keep saying to them the grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” Neville was quoted in the UK media.
“They’ve got a great platform. They’re all highly thought of and they are all looked after and hopefully they can stay and we can build something really special.
“If we keep everybody together these boys can win silverware at this club and that’s what they should remember.”
Arteta has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester City, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur believed to be also tracking Pienaar after negotiations over his new deal had floundered.
If the two needed a reminder of how important they are to Everton, that came from their teammates and defender Leighton Baines even admitted he sent Pienaar an sms to plead with him to stay.
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