It’s taken it’s time to get some sort of official confirmation that Muhamed Bešić will sign up with Everton this summer. Yesterday, Everton did get round to mentioning that he had joined up with the Blues squad and will travel over to Bangkok as part of the pre-season friendly against Leicester, however he will not play a part in the game, merely meeting and getting to know his teammates and building up fitness ahead of the new season.
We at theevertonforum.co.uk asked a small group of Bosnians who had signed up to our fourm if they could pull out a little guide of our new midfield maestro and this was their response:
1. How long have you watched/followed Besic as a player?
A: I watch Hungarian league every week and saw a lot of him.
B: Since he took the field early for us. Kids been a stud from day 1.
C: Since his days when he played for u-21 and that Mexico friendly game so it’s been 3-4 years at least.
D: I know Mume since back from his time in Hamburg.
E: Since his debut against Mexico.
F: I watch him since he was 16 , I know him but we are no mates.
2. Can you give us some characteristics of him, both as attributes as a player and his attitude on/off field?
A: A little bit about him then. He got kicked out by Hamburg because he had an argument with the coach. And he didn’t play for the u21 national team for the same reason. Here in Hungary none of these happened, he had two different coaches and both like him. I doubt he has any of those issues any more he matured a lot here.
He plays for Ferencváros, which is the biggest, most supported club, and it’s really hard for their supporters to accept and like any player, but he succeeded. I have to say here a little bit about the level of Hungarian league: We haven’t sold any Hungarian player to the top 5 leagues in 5 years (maybe foreigners neither). So far in Europa league qualifying 2 teams played against two teams in Malta with the score of 1-1 and 2-1. The 1-1 game was away and played by Ferencváros. Of course the league is better than the Maltese league, but the teams are of the level of low championship and league 1. Ferencváros now has Thomas Doll as a coach, who maneged in Bundesliga, and before that Ricardo Moniz, now at 1860 Münich.
Positives: Was the best player of the league this year, and last year. Never stops running, if I remember correctly in 2 games this WC he ran the most. Very good technique, he’ll only give the ball away in the very last resort, he’ll do anything to pass/dribble the ball even in tight situations, with very good success rate. Amazing tackling, and likes to hastle opponents very much. He plays a bit like Sissoko + the technique. He’s fast, his acceleration is above average. Shows leadership as well.
Negatives: Bad shots, not very good with long balls, and his heading isn’t outstadning (not really bad though).
B: Very skilled player with a ton of potential. Very versatile. Hard worker. Clearly despises losing(see video after Argentina game). Solid defensively and going forward. He had some issues in the past but his time in Hungary seems to have helped him mature(humbled him). Martinez can handle Besic without any problems.
C: Very strong work ethic, good ball control, ball distribution, tackling.
D: Mume is nasty, winning is all that matters and if not you can expect him to show his anger. Mume is that guy who beat his opponents and takes their lunch money and later comes back and beats them up again for not having more lunch money on them. Mume is in few words very nasty and you do not want to make him angry.
E: Pitbull, number one priority is winning, great determination, loves to tackle. Attitude on the pitch is that he takes no shit from the opposition.
F: He’s a bit crazy but very committed to football, I think in two/three years he will have a reputation of a star which is rare for a player of his position because it has everything… a technique, a positive arrogance for that position, speed.
3. He is rumoured to be able to play in 3 different positions, where do you feel he is at his best?
A: He is verstile, he can play CB as well. I heard he played CB at Hamburg (5 games in the senior team) before coming to Hungary 2 years ago. He played RB a couple of games, but it was out of necessity.
B: DM and CB are probably his best spots. Good to know he can play RB if necessary.
C: Defensive Midfielder should be #1 choice.
D: CDM.
E: Defensive midfielder.
F: Yes he can play CD, RB and DM, but i think he’s natural DM.
4. Do you expect him to make a big impact in his first season, or will it take time for him to adjust? Does he speak English?
A: I predicted that he would sign for a low, maximum middle level PL club, so if he really goes to Everton it’s a big step for him. His work rate and and always wanting to get better help him to succeed nevertheless. I wouldn’t be suprised if he had a couple of bad games, but with playing time and confidence of the coach he can do what Everton fans would excpect in a few weeks or months in the PL. In my opinion it’s more likely that he succeeds than doesn’t, about 80%-20%.
B: All depends on Martinez and what he wants Besic to do/where he wants him on the field. If he starts I expect him to steal that starting spot based off his hunger on the field. He speaks some good English. He didnt know Hungarian so he spoke English there.
C: He speaks decent English and i expect him to slowly start doing his thing. He has edge over a guy like Barry imo. Don’t know enough about others so can’t judge beyond that.
D: Mume will be the big thing this season. He will own Goodison Park and go down in the history books for being a proper blue.
E: He will likely take some time to adjust but he will certainly be leaving impact after not too long in the season.
F: It is dependent on Martinez.
5. Any nicknames?
B: Mo. Mume. Nothing else really.
E: Pussy-getter?
6. Finally, are you looking forward to seeing him in an Everton shirt in the Premier League and Europa League?
B: We all are. We’d be liars if we said we weren’t excited about this transfer. Perfect club. League suits his strengths. Perfect manager.
E: Of course. Every Bosnian is super-excited that he’s going to a top league and will play for one of the best clubs in the EPL.