HE IS perhaps more renowned for his goal-scoring exploits in the box than philosophical musings – but Louis Saha is a footballer with much more to him than sporting prowess.

So much so, the former Everton striker’s new book ‘Thinking Inside The Box’ has won critical acclaim, and provides a rare genuine insight into the mindset of a foreign player on English shores.

And with his Goodison career still fresh in the memory, the 33-year-old’s reflections on the game are as much influenced by David Moyes and his former Toffees team-mates as they are by Sir Alex Ferguson and Thierry Henry.

Saha might be at White Hart Lane planning for a fresh crack at the Premier League trophy under Harry Redknapp next season, but his thoughts are rarely far from his former club.

Indeed Saha, nicknamed ‘The King’ by his Everton team-mates, spent plenty of time interviewing them for his book while still on Merseyside.

“They all enjoyed talking to me and they were excited about the book. They know me and how I talk and think,” he says.

“I want to believe the Everton fans will find it interesting too. It’s like a player talking directly to them. At the moment I’m like a kid in many ways, but I’m a normal person who can be a very strong character.

“I try to express all the emotion that comes with being a footballer. I’m not a robot and people can forget that footballers are human beings. A lot of people think we live the cliche but it’s not that simple.”

Saha’s Everton spell was mixed, with the former France international not always seeing eye to eye with Moyes.

In September 2011 Saha walked out of Goodison before his team’s 3-1 victory against Wigan, after being unexpectedly dropped from the 18-man squad.

The avid social networker took to Twitter to express his anger at being left out, writing ‘I am not good enough. Absolutely destroyed.’ He later added: ‘It’s coz I’m confident in my ability that I’m gutted’.

The pair eventually met for clear the air talks, and Saha insists it was the honesty of both men which rescued the relationship.

“At any club I’ve always been very honest to the manager,” he says. “Nothing will change from that – I will always say what I think and it gets you respect.

“When I was left out I got an explanation from Moyes. Then you have to accept it. Give me a reason and I am pleased because that is the explanation and I must work hard. Its difficult when you don’t know the reason.

“Communication is a very important tool for managers and players. You have to speak plainly and make sure you are understood.

“Your body language is important. The way you deliver a message by the way you play and train too.

“I’m a player who loves his football and can be relaxed. Some players don’t give the right message.

“I think by the end of the time we understood each other. He is a very intelligent manager, and I don’t think I would ever say a bad comment about him. I’d hope he’s the same because I was always straight with him.”

Despite the problem it once caused him, Saha still enjoys tweeting supporters – even if it leads to the occasional row.

He says: “I try to make them understand. I even send them direct messages to make sure they feel comfortable with what I’ve said to them. I’m very passionate about football, and like anyone I don’t like being criticised.

“We are no different from them, and I like that Twitter makes it a good way to be understood.”

True to his straight forward nature, Saha admits he asked Moyes to leave when Spurs came calling in January.

“I asked the manager to go because I felt it was the right time for me and the club,” he says. “Everton had just signed Jelavic and I might have found it a bit difficult so when the opportunity came up I took it and I didn’t look back even though I was sad.

“It was hard to leave because I have so many great memories there. I really liked it at Everton.

“People ask me about special moments and it’s tough because I love every single moment as a footballer. The ups and downs make my life exciting.”

Although he says Everton restored his love for the game when he signed on a pay-as-you-play basis in 2008, Saha admits he felt pessimistic after the sale of Mikel Arteta last September.

“I was desperate for any talented players to come in,” he says. “I wanted to keep Yakubu or Mikel because we felt we were only two players away from a good side, and I was really down when they left.

“Beforehand it really felt like it would be our season. It’s difficult when you have sold some of your better players, when you actually wanted others to join and make it better.

“The players know the difference between a team with Arteta and without him and it was a concern. As professionals you train hard and try not to ask too many questions, but you know a player of his quality will be missed.”

Nevertheless, Saha was pleased when the Blues achieved their annual second half of the season upturn, and was hoping for them to be reunited at Wembley in the FA Cup final – only for both his current and former club to fall at the final hurdle.

“It would have meant everything to me, but it wasn’t to be,” he says. “Based on their second half in the semi Everton didn’t deserve to be in the final, and I really wanted it because it would have been huge.

“After 2009 I am desperate to get there (Wembley) and lift the trophy. It’s in the back of my mind and why I left Goodison, because I thought it was possible to lift a trophy with Tottenham – the Premier League.”