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Post by dorf on Sept 7, 2017 9:09:35 GMT
 Morgan Schneiderlin has hailed “clever and determined” teammate Leighton Baines ahead of him racking up a triple century of Premier League starts for Everton, saying “it’s a joy for everyone to have a left-back like him".Baines, who celebrated 10 years with the Club last month, will hit his latest landmark if chosen to face Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Saturday. The 32-year-old has been a pillar of consistency for the Blues over that decade, twice being named in the PFA Team of the Year and becoming only the second full-back in the Club’s history to amass more than 300 league outings after 1969/70 title-winner Tommy Wright. And Schneiderlin, one of 15 big-name arrivals since Ronald Koeman became Everton manager last summer, believes old-hand Baines remains an integral part of the Toffees’ set-up. Koeman has confirmed Baines is the deputy captain of his side following the departure of Gareth Barry to West Bromwich Albion and has already handed the defender the armband on three occasions this season. Schneiderlin said: “Leighton’s very much an important player for Everton. I think he’s an Everton legend he’s played so many years here. “He’s always fit, always doing well, you always see in training that he is working hard and he always has good spirit. “I remember watching Everton when him and Steven Pienaar were in the team. They made a hell of a partnership and it was beautiful to watch them. “Even now, with other players in front of him, I think it’s a joy for everyone to have a left-back like him, he’s so clever and determined. “Three hundred Premier League starts is a good landmark for him but we all hope there will be many more games for him here.” Like Everton, Tottenham have four points from their opening three Premier League games of the season, having beaten Newcastle United on the road but lost against Chelsea and drawn with Burnley at home. Schneiderlin, though, has plenty of respect for a side who finished runners-up to Chelsea last term and warned the Blues will need to be on their mettle to stifle Mauricio Pochettino’s dynamic Londoners. “It’s a big challenge,” he added. “They play with a high tempo and, for me, Tottenham are one of the best - or the best team - in the Premier League. “They showed it last year and they showed progression with good players. “It will be a very, very hard game and we will prepare as much and as well as we can.” Everton FC |
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