As much as Everton could’ve done with them last Saturday as the metaphorical roof caved in against Bournemouth, perhaps it was better for Orel Mangala and Armando Broja not to be scarred by the events. Watching on from the sidelines would’ve potentially been harrowing enough for the two new signings.
It will likely take time for Everton’s staff and squad to shake off the 3-2 loss. Fresh faces in the squad can only help add some positivity back into a group which will be shell-shocked though.
In amidst the fallout from Saturday, the signings of the pair have almost been forgotten. Everton released Broja’s first interview on Thursday with the accompanying caption “don’t worry Blues, he’s here.”
Mangala completed his club media commitments on Friday, although he was not registered in time to feature against the Cherries.
Of all the signings made by Everton this summer, the former Nottingham Forest midfielder has probably generated the least discussion. The Belgium international comes into a squad that is not desperately short of players in his position after all, while his own reputation is currently in a peculiar position after short stay Lyon. Getting to the south-east of France from Nottinghamshire has been an intriguing journey though.
“When [Forest] signed him we thought we were getting an out-and-out defensive midfielder,” Daniel Storey, chief football correspondent for The I and Nottingham Forest supporter told the ECHO. “He isn’t really that.”
