Key Everton man must reject AS Roma overtures

Players aren’t the only ones the media likes to link with moves. Some reports are linking Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands with Roma.

According to Il Tiempo (via Sportswitness), AS Roma has hired a search firm to locate the most suitable person to fill the open director of football slot for the Serie A team.

According to the report, Leed’s Victor Orta and Lille’s Luis Campo have already come under the microscope of Retexo Intelligence, the firm being used for the search. Orta and Campo have already been rejected and reportedly the gaze has now moved on to Marcel Brands.

The report of interest from Roma comes at a time where there has been no indication of a contract offer for Brands, who will be out of contract this summer. It creates something different to write about as the International Break winds down. While some Blue hearts may feel it to be a rumour, it doesn’t seem likely.

First of all, there has been no firm offer or even reports of an offer. Of course, Brands name would come up in list of good directors of football. That doesn’t mean he’s going to leave.

Why not?

Well, he’s not done badly in the transfer market for Everton. He’s brought in Richarlison, Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina to name a few. Of course, there have been failures such as Yannick Bolasie, Davy Klassen and others but he has made up for it in one way or the other.

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Then there is the presence of Carlo Ancelotti. When Ancelotti was hired to manage Everton in December of 2019, Brands was enthused.

He told Bein sports that Ancelotti was the perfect appointment for Everton.

So, it looks like Brands is willingly part of the “Carlo Project” to return Everton to the greatness, the club’s fans expect and want. Ancelotti’s presence makes the Toffees more appealing.

James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure were the biggest names brought in during the previous transfer window and there’s no doubt Ancelotti’s influence helped in those.

And while Farhad Mosihiri may not have bottomless pockets, indications are, if Ancelotti and Brands really want somebody, the money will be available. And with European giants like Real Madrid, a far-bigger team than Roma, having financial issues, knowing the backing is there is a good reason to stay.

Brands’ influence goes beyond the transfer market. Everton’s head of academy coaching John Ebbrell praised Brands in the Liverpool Echo,

"It is great to have someone in that position [Director of Football] who wants to understand Everton. I have a lot of respect for Marcel and what he is doing.I will need his help at times, in terms of what we are doing and how we are looking to change – and I look forward to continuing the excellent relationship I have with him."

A number of young players have flourished at Goodison under Brands-Ancelotti, with Anthony Gordon and Niels Nounkou the latest. Brands has been successful in pulling some of the most exciting talents like Jarrad Branthwaite, Nkounkou, Imam Jagne and many others to the club.

And it’s worth to note that in addition to being the director of football, Brands also has a seat on the Everton board of directors. At this stage of his career, money probably doesn’t mean as much to Brands as do the intangibles.

And being a major partner in restoring the Royal Blue roar to its former glories as Everton prepares to move into a new stadium makes it hard to believe, Brands will be tempted to move on.

So Evertonian supporters stop worrying, Brands has linked his wagon to the Carlo Caravan.

What do you think? Are you worried about Marcel Brands leaving Everton?