Saha costs nothing unless he plays
by Ben Blackmore, 30 August 2008
David Moyes has revealed Everton will not pay a penny when Louis Saha first arrives at Goodison Park, subject to a medical this weekend.
Moyes admits he has no idea of when the Manchester United striker will be ready to boost his small Toffees squad, and that formed the basis of complicated financial agreement between the two clubs.
The Everton boss is awaiting news of a medical but he believes Saha is currently struggling with a calf problem.
“He’s had no pre-season games and I have no estimate as to when he may play,” Moyes was quoted as saying in The Daily Mirror.
“As far as I know he’s in pretty good nick. He had just picked up a calf strain in training.
“That’s not far away from being OK. Yes, he’s had problems and if he had been playing every game, we wouldn’t have got him for next to nothing.
“There will be some money after he’s played games, but there is no initial outlay. He has to play before we play.”
Injuries aside, Moyes promised Toffees fans that they will not be subjected to a season of frustration with Saha, revealing he has no plans to wrap the Frenchman in cotton wool.
“If I can get him out 20 times a season, that gives us a chance of winning 20 games.
“I won’t use him sparingly. I’ll use him at every opportunity if he is fit.”