Desperate Saha’s offer was ‘no pay until I play’

Sep 4 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW signing Louis Saha was so desperate to prove his fitness that he told Everton not to pay him until he returned to action.

The French striker ended four injury-ravaged years at Manchester United by completing a move to Goodison earlier this week.

Saha, who has agreed a two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months, remains at least three weeks away from recovering from the cartilage problem that has sidelined him all summer.

And the 30-year-old was willing to forgo his wages until he had made his first appearance for his new club, underlining his determination to repay the faith shown in him by Everton manager David Moyes.

“It was something I did offer them but in the end it didn’t happen,” said Saha. “I’d had a few setbacks and it was very frustrating, and I made the offer because that is my type of mentality.

“So that is what I said to Everton, it’s not a big issue. I want to be able to look myself in the mirror.

“When I go on the pitch I know I am doing my job, and being away from it for so long has been so frustrating for me.

“But I am really confident I will be fit for that contract. The international break for two weeks helps, and I should be back in three or four weeks or so.”

Everton could ultimately pay £2million for Saha, depending on the number of games played and various contract clauses.

That figure is dwarfed by the club record £15m splashed out to sign Marouane Fellaini from Standard Liege shortly before Monday’s midnight transfer deadline.

But the 20-year-old Belgium international does not consider the huge fee a burden and is eager to begin repaying the faith shown in him by Moyes.

“The fee is not a problem,” said Fellaini. “I am coming here to continue my progression and improve my game, as well as working hard for the team and helping us win games.

“All the fee shows is that the club has confidence and faith in me and that is something that should be looked on not as a problem, but as something which is positive.

“I am very happy and very content to be signing for Everton. I really can’t wait to get started at Everton, to show my qualities and what I am about.

“I had been aware that Everton had been interested in me and watching my progress for some time, but I didn’t know they wanted to sign me at this time.

“It (the transfer) came about at the last minute but we spoke on Monday and the deal came about close to midnight. Thankfully it got resolved just in time.”

Fellaini impressed during Standard’s Champions League qualifier against Liverpool last month, and the midfielder believes the experience of those two ties provided a persuasive argument for a career in the Premier League.

“It certainly did help me to make the decision,” he added. “It is the league all players want to play in. But playing in those games helped me realise it is a league that suits my style and suits me physically.

“I am a physical player and my style and strength will really fit in with the English game.

“I don’t know a lot about the team but I am young, I can bring youthful enthusiasm and I am really keen to do well and succeed. I fulfil a defensive midfield role and I can prove a good barrier to protect the defence. I want to help take the team forward as much as I can.”