Nikola Vlasic has claimed his Everton career did not go to plan because of the club’s managerial situation and believes he has much to prove to himself after his failed spell at Goodison Park. Looking back on his time on Merseyside, Vlasic believes he has grown as a player. Believing he was good enough to play for Everton, he has suggested the upheaval at the club during his time at Finch Farm made it more difficult to impress.
Nikola Vlasic said: “I’m 23 but I don’t feel like a young (inexperienced) player. I really feel like I’ve been playing football for many, many years, like I have because I started playing when I was 16. I think it’s the right time for me to step up and play in the Premier League for a great club like West Ham, so I think it will be amazing. I’m a much better player and my mentality is not the same as when I was 19. It’s four years since I was in the Premier League and I really feel like I need to prove something to myself. It’s not that I didn’t feel I was good enough then, I think I was, it was just a problem with the changing of coaches and everything. The situation now is different. I am coming to a big club and they expect big things from me, and I also expect big things from myself, so I think it will be a really exciting time.”
Joining former Everton boss David Moyes at London Stadium,
Nikola Vlasic added: “I knew the manager from before and all the clubs he managed, and I really liked his teams and that was interesting for me. I didn’t have one doubt I wanted to join. You can expect commitment, 100 per cent every day, straight professionalism, and I’m good with the ball, quick and I think I can link up very well with players. I’m also hard working and a player who can play in more than one position. When I spoke with the manager, it was a no-brainer for me and when he told me what he expects from me, that’s all I needed.”
Everton next come up against the Hammers at home on Sunday, October 17.
