Everton’s Fernandes thrilled to be back at “best team for me”

“Spirit within squad best I have known” says midfielder

Manuel Fernandes has expressed his delight at returning to Everton after sealing a six-month loan deal with the Premiership side.

The Portuguese spent the second half of last season at Goodison Park, where he made a major impression on the club’s coaching staff and fans, but moved to Valencia over the summer on a permanent deal.

However, following the appointment of Ronald Koeman and some off-field problems, Fernandes was made available by the Spanish side and Everton again stepped in. Fernandes now insists he is happy with the switch and hints that problems with his ownership by MSI were the reason for not staying on with the Toffees last summer.

“I am really happy,” Fernandes told Everton TV. “I was sad when I left in the summer but the most important thing now is that I am here and I want to help the team.”

Third place target

“I heard stories I wanted to leave but that is not true. If that was the case I wouldn’t have come back now. It was difficult with a club and a group owning me - that was the difficult part in the negotiations but the important thing now is that I am back.

“Knowing the people and knowing the club played a big part in my decision to come here again. This is the best team for me. I hope we can consolidate fourth place. It will be difficult to get up to third but we want to stay as high as possible.”

Having been given little chance to impress at Valencia, Fernandes admits that he is happy to return to a club where he is appreciated, and says he hopes to get fit and be available for selection as soon as possible.

“The fans I have seen have been really nice. It’s nice to come and know your work is appreciated. When you are in a place and things don’t go well you start thinking if you made the right decision.

“I think this is a good move. Permanent would be better but I will enjoy it for six months. The togetherness there is here is the kind of thing I have not seen in many clubs. That is the real strength of this team.”

“I have come to a club I already know and it will be easy to fit in again. I am not in top condition because I haven’t played as readily as I would have liked but it is good we don’t play until Sunday so I have seven days to get as fit as possible.

“I hope to be in the team and I will be working hard to do that. I hope the international clearance comes through in a few days.”