ROYSTON DRENTHE can’t say he was never warned. Days before he joined Everton on loan in summer 2011, another former Evertonian with a penchant for partying tried to warn him in no uncertain terms against the switch.
According to Dutch website HP De Tijd last week, the colourful part-time ex-Blues winger left a prescient voicemail on Drenthe’s mobile phone voicemail.
“Royston, I hear that you are on your way to Everton. Don’t do it boy, I beg you, don’t do it,” Van Der Meyde is reported to have said.
“Liverpool has too many temptations for guys like us. Before you know it you will be dragged into the nightclubs.
“There Bacardi flows and you can ski on cocaine; and the women, Royston. Oh man. Those British women with their short skirts . . . .’’
Van Der Meyde was talking from experience, of course, and Drenthe’s failure to heed his advice meant that after just 21 appearances the eccentric little winger – who was predictably plagued by off the field problems – was on his way. David Moyes’ patience with him had run out.
Meanwhile, last week Marouane Fellaini was reportedly enjoying himself in a nightclub near Brussels until the early hours of Monday morning. But fear not – there are no parallels between the inspirational Belgian and the Dutch dynamic duo.
Fellaini did spend some time unwinding after putting in an almighty shift as the Blues drew 3-3 with Aston Villa, but it was a far cry from any overt drunken antics.
There were no complaints from Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, after Fellaini reported in on time at 2pm the next day, and the player himself said: “I comply with all my responsibilities as a professional footballer, so in my private life and free time, I do what I want.
“In England, I don’t go out all that much. The games are so physically demanding that I need a lot of rest.”
True to form the midfielder, who was an unused substitute for Belgium due to a painful hip injury he suffered against Villa, has been doing everything possible to get himself fit for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.
The hard-work looks likely to pay off and it’s clear Fellaini – unlike Drenthe – understands that there is a time for relaxing and a time for grafting.
And ultimately, you only get out of the game what you put in.
