Mina’s Gratitude

Yerry Mina has thanked Marco Silva and Evertonians for helping him adapt to life in the Premier League.

Yerry Mina arrived at Goodison Park after a whirlwind six months. He’d just won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, despite making just six appearances for Barcelona, and his three goals at the World Cup propelled Colombia to within touching distance of the quarter-finals at Russia 2018.

But defeat to England on penalties in the last-16 was to be followed by further setbacks. The buzz of his £30m move to Everton was curtailed by a series of injuries that prevented him from making his Premier League debut until November and he was limited to a mere 15 appearances in his first season on Merseyside.

Twelve months on, though, the 24-year-old has put those setbacks to bed, playing every minute of the Toffees’ league campaign to date.

Mina told evertontv. “I really want to thank the coach for the belief he has shown in me. Last season was really hard, the adaptation, the language barrier, many things. Some injuries, too but Marco Silva was always speaking to me and showing he had belief in me.

“That kept me strong. I know I need to give my all on the pitch for my team and my fans. I have grown and, bit-by-bit, I have improved.

“I have got to know my teammates and the coach.

“And the fans have been with me and helped me get stronger.”