M'Julie Wants To Stay

After hearing the news that Everton had blown him out, Rodrigo still feels he can do a job in the premership.
M'Julie says: "This of course came as a very big disappointment to me. I wanted more than anything to get the opportunity to show the Everton fans what I could do. I would like to say a big thank you to all the Everton fans for their support over the past year."

He hoped he could still play in the Premiership, saying " I believe I have the skills and ability to be as successful in the Premiership as my Brazilian friends Juninho and Gilberto and it would be fantastic to make a name for myself in England as they have done. After having a taste of the Premiership earlier in the season I am hungry for more. I have received some interest from a few English clubs and I am hoping to join a new club sooner rather than later." Middlesboro are thought to be interested. Otherwise it's back to sitting on the beach in Rio. (15/05/03)

M'Julie Snub

Everton left M'Julie out of the mini Derby. This has started the tounges wagging. We think he will be released, leaving a bit of cash to bring in a ew player. His agent, Lee Payne obviously has wind of it by saying: ""We are very disappointed at the way things have turned out." (11/05/03)

Reserves Sub Again!

It's not looking good for M'Juli! His plan was to play in the last game of the season at home to Man U but after 25 mins for the reserves last week he is on the bench again tonight for the reserves match away to Bradford. Now given that a EUFA cup place rests on the result on Sunday, we can't see Moyesy putting the Brazilian in the frame whereas Juliano will perhaps have a different agenda - putting himself in the shop window for a summer signing! It might be different if he scores a hat-trick tonight, watch this space. (06/05/03)

He's Back

Juliano made his long awaited comeback last night for the reserves against Leeds at Widnes, we lost 2-1 and the Brazilian came on as sub after 65 mins and played well. He did say he was targetting the Man U game, wether he makes it or not remains to be seen. Being cynical, the reason for this could be to put himself in the shop window whilst the world is watching as rumour has it that Rodrigo will not be a Toffeeman next year - even if he isn't, we'll still be using those Brazilian bums! Welcome back M'Juli. (2/5/03)

M'Juli Target Man Utd Game

Rodrigo is excited with the thought of playing some togger again. He is plaesed with his progress and send s a big thank you to everyone who has helped him. Expect Everton to take the option to keep him.

M' Juli said:"Our final game of the season is against Manchester United at Goodison Park and it would be my dream to be ready and picked to play. I will probably play a game for the reserves soon but I cannot see at this stage when that will be. Everything has been going really well and the thought of playing competitive football very, very soon is getting me excited"

“Everybody gave me a big welcome when I returned, especially Kevin Campbell, Joseph Yobo, who I get on really well with. Duncan Ferguson has also been great. He always calls me ‘Gorgeous’, which is funny.I am so happy to be back. I have my own flat and am settled. I have even learned to speak scouse.”(10/04/03)

M'Juli's Back - Official - Honest!

M'Juli returns to full training tomorrow 6 months after his knee operation, a reserve run out in mid-April is the best we can hope for, we won't be seeing him against the redshite at Easter that's for sure! But Moyesy has a dilemma, Juliano is on a year's loan which is up in the summer when £3m is due, should he take a risk and sign the goal scoring midfielder (take out Stevie Watson and we've scored 5 goals from midfeild this season)? Or could this be too much of a gamble and the Cadbury's better spent elsewhere? (29/03/2003)

M'Juli's Back - Official

Juliano Rodrigo completed a full days training yesterday in two tracksuits, three bobble hats and a duffle coat! He has returned from Brazil after 5 months rehab following his knee injury at Bellefield, we know Moyesy is pleased with his shape he just needs games under his belt. Apparently he sent videos back to Merseyside and you can't get one for love nor money!
Rodrigo says his target is ' a few games before the end of the season', maybe he thinks it gets warmer after Easter!
Welcome back M'Juli, we all looking forward to seeing the real ting. (25/02/03)

It's Cold Out There

Moyesy is happy that Juli will be back at the end of this week, but he reckons it could be some time before we see him in the 1st team. Not only that but the cold weather will give Juli a bit of a fright.

Moyesy said: "He had an unfortunate injury, which made it difficult for him to become established and to be seen by me and the supporters. We are looking forward to having him back, though I’m sure it will be a shock to the system because the weather conditions are very different here at the moment to that in Brazil"(19/02/03)

Back This Week

Juli will be back on Merseyside this week. He is fit enough to start training next week, & then it's games he needs.
Me Juli says: "I'm very well and I will be back at Everton on 21st of February. I hope to be at the Southampton game at Goodison Park. The doctors have said that I can start playing again. My muscles are strong and I just need to be back in the team. I will be there this week I will not disappoint the supporters, the team and the coaches who have always supported me. The progress that I've made since November has surprised even the doctors. I will be back playing at Everton sooner than everyone thought at first. I've been running, working with weights and swimming. I have been working with the physiotherapist for over four hours a day. I even sent a video cassette to David Moyes and the physio to show them what I've been doing in my rehabilitation process. I'll be back stronger and in good shape and I know that I will be able to help our team maintain our high position in the league. I participated in a swimming competition, crossing one mile in the open ocean. I did really well. I would like to say thank you to all my supporters and everyone that is wishing my prompt recovery. Also the support that I received from our manager David Moyes and all the team has given me the strength that I needed to be able to return to Everton as the player I always have been. I can assure all Evertonians they will be able to be proud of me as an Everton player." (17/02/03)

Out For Months

A further scan today has revealed that Juli has suffered a ruptured cruciate in his knee. This could mean he will be out until the new year.

Moyesy says: "It just happened in training. We were having a small-sided game and the keeper threw the ball out to him, which he went to control with his chest. He turned at the same time and his knee went from under him. At the moment the specialists have told us that these type of injuries take two or three weeks to settle down before they know if it requires surgery. It’s difficult to speculate and I’d rather wait until we have the professional outcome before we put a time limit on it.”

Juli Falls from High Rise Building

Rodrigo joins the other new signings, Joey Yobo, & Richard Wright on the injured list. He was filming the new Milk Tray advert, when he went arse over tit. The first reports are that Everton fear he has knackered his cruciate ligaments. If this is true it could be months before he is fit. He was taken to hospital so that the specialists can see the full extent of the injury. (13/09/02)

'RODRIGOL' not 'RODRIGO'

The fans have noticed in the pre-season friendlies the name 'RODRIGOL' printed on his shirt. They thought not another cock-up. No! Juli explains.

Juli says: "It says 'RODRIGOL' because the 'L' is for my middle name, which is Lopez.
"My full name is Juliano Lopes de Almeida Rodrigo. It's not like Gabriel Batistuta being called Batigol. That was a nickname the fans gave him because he scored so many goals."
Juli has scored just the one goal, that being a penalty against Shrewsbury. He won a tussle with Idan Tal over who was taking it. Noticeably, Everton regular penalty taker, David Unsworth wasn't playing that day. Unsey has already told Juli not to bother tussling with him for the ball. In the Blue Kipper interview Unsey says "I've already had a word with Rodrigo" But does he know that its not his name anymore. (16/08/02)

Brazilian Flair

David Moyes believes Juli could be the flair player for Everton this season.

Moyesy says: "The Brazilian tag will obviously come into it but it's all down to what he does on a Saturday that counts. There is always a lot of excitement about new players but, for me, it's only when the season starts that you can tell. We've got players in who have proven themselves for other clubs but it's how they perform for Everton that counts. We have got a year to assess him. He's a little bit behind in terms of fitness but he's good on the ball, can pick passes out and has got a good eye for goal. We are still looking to find the best position for him in the side but we are also cautious because it is all new to him and he is new to us. We lost David Ginola and Paul Gascoigne last season so we are looking at him to give us a bit of flair at different times." (15/08/02)

Juli only 50% Fit

He may have been only 50% fit, but he was still one of the best players on display at Wrexham. We can't wait to watch him when he's fully fit.

Juli says: "These games are very important for me because I haven't played since May when I left Atletico Mineiro. To keep myself in the best condition I need to be playing. But I'm confident that I'll soon be at my best. I feel about 50 per cent fit at the moment and I will do my best to make sure I'm ready for the start of the Premiership in a fortnight. While the coach wants to see me playing in a number of positions, I feel more comfortable playing behind the front two, linking the defence and the attack. But I'll play wherever the coach feels I can be of most benefit to the team."

Juli fought & won a tussle with Idan Tal at Wrexham, as both wanted the spot kick.

Juli says: "I've always taken penalties, whether at Atletico or Botafogo, and I don't normally have any problems with them. I said to Idan I felt comfortable with it and he was okay about it." (05/08/02)

Milk Tray

Juli @ Shrewsbury