Everton Player Reviews - Kevin Mirallas

Player: Kevin Mirallas, #11

GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered.

Introduction:

There was great excitement when Kevin Mirallas completed a £6million switch to Goodison Park from Olympiakos last August. The move had been kept under wraps by the club until the deal was nearly completed (even those ‘ITK’ agents on Twitter didn't know about it!) and he quickly made an impact in the Premier League. Injuries severely hampered the middle part of the season but a strong finish to the campaign has raised hopes of a successful season next year.

What he did well:

He added pace, trickery and a goalscoring threat to Everton's midfield. He could play on either wing, often switching flanks between games, while he also played further forward behind the striker at times. Two goals and two assists on his debut against Leyton Orient ensured he lived up to his "Belgian Ronaldo" tag, while he ran Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom ragged during the first half of the Goodison leg of the Merseyside Derby - his withdrawal due to injury at half time tipped the game back in Liverpool's favour. The middle part of the season was pretty much a write-off, but his eventual return in late February conceded with an upturn in form. Memorable goals against Stoke and West Ham ensured he ended the season with flourish and left us all wondering what he could do next season.

What he could do better:

It sounds a little harsh to say "stay fit", but a persistent hamstring injury severely hampered his season. When his second comeback was aborted after just a few minutes against Bolton in the Cup in February there were fears he had glass legs (or hamstrings) that would prevent him from ever stringing a run of games together. However, I think it is reasonable to suggest he just found the Premier League tough - as many players do. He was also probably a victim of his success, becoming such a key member of the side that he was rushed back from injury a little too early. There were plenty of occasions last season when he played half-fit - a full season from him next year will be essential to Everton's success.

Voting:

Using the school grading system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season, C an average season, and F a very poor season, how do you grade Kevin Mirallas on his performance this year according to the expectations you had for him?