Skhodran Mustafi: The One Who Got Away From Everton.

By Ewah Chika.

"Goodison Park feels like home," were the words of Albanian born German defender Shkodran Mustafi in 2009 after signing for then David Moyes' side from Hamburg. Since leaving Everton , Mustafi has gone on to win the World Cup with Germany and play in the Champions League with
Valencia.

Not many people know that the German defender was a reserve player at Everton as he is known for his defensive prowess in La Liga with Valencia. Mustafi was released by David Moyes as he tried to raise cash to sign new players . The defender had initially rejected offers from both Manchester City and Newcastle United before signing for Everton . At the end of his time at the blue half of Merseyside, Mustafi ended up making only one substitute appearance which is in the Europa League and no league appearance with only his nine times on the bench the only positive news. The defender then moved to Sampdoria who were then in Seria B, winning promotion to the Seria A in his debut season and playing another season in the Seria A (20 Seria A games) before moving to Valencia for €8 million . It was at Valencia that Mustafi established himself as one of La Liga's finest under Nuno Espírito as Peter Lim's team cruised all the way to 4th place at the end of 2014/2015 season . Valencia competed in the Champions League last season and were so inconsistent that they failed to qualify from their group and also narrowly escaped relegation at the end of the season after the sacking of both Nuno and Garry Neville in the same season. Mustafi wasn't at his best last season but was still an upgrade when compared with his team mates scoring two league goals and creating two chances from his centre-back position in 30 league games.

In total, the German has scored six league goals in 61 games for Valencia . With Everton struggling at centre-back position with the gradual decline of Phil Jagielka whose age is his major concern, , talented and ball playing but inconsistent John Stones and Indisciplined Flori Mune, meaning that Ronald Koeman has a big problem to rectify before the season opener in August to avoid a repeat of the last two seasons where the club did not finish in the top 10.

Although Mustafi is far from the perfect centre-back, he is a big upgrade on Everton current centre-backs and should never have been released in the first place.