Everton have confirmed that midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has joined Ligue 1 side Nice, following a disappointing three-and-a-half years at Goodison Park.
Morgan Schneiderlin Leaves Everton
Change in Managers Has Not Helped the Frenchman
The Daily Mail are reporting that the 30-year-old has cost Nice just £2 million, a disappointing return for the Toffees.
Schneiderlin has struggled for form since leaving Southampton for Manchester United in 2015. He failed to perform to the high standards expected of him at Old Trafford, and could not find the form that he once enjoyed on the south coast.
As a result, in January 2017 he opted to reunite with former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park, in the hope that he could find his feet once more.
In many respects, he did exactly that. Koeman used him in a similar role to the one he used at Southampton. Schneiderlin excelled in the defensive midfield role, sweeping up on the second balls and making an average of 1.8 tackles per game.
However, Koeman did not last much longer with Everton, as he was sacked just two months into the following season.
From there, Schneiderlin’s career dwindled. Despite making 36 appearances in all competitions the following season, the majority of which came under Sam Allardyce, he never stood out in games.
The last two seasons, however, has seen the Frenchman make even fewer appearances. Marco Silva did not believe that he suited his style of play, while he has been in and out of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
While his 88 appearances are commendable, Everton fans may have hoped for more from the 30-year-old.
Does a Return to France Make Sense?
Schneiderlin needs to rediscover the player that he once was. He was one of the star players at St Mary’s for Southampton. However, he has not been the same player since.
As a result, a move to a league where there is less scrutiny from the fans and press alike, as well as intensity on the pitch, is perhaps well suited for the Frenchman.
Nice are still a high-profile club too. Managed by former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Viera, they finished fifth in the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season, just outside of the Europa League places.
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