I've Still Got It

Per Kroldrup who is now back in his comfort zone in Italy is still adamant that he can do a job in the Premiership. PK who is now turning out for Serie A side Fiorentina is telling the world he likes to play football, and play his way out of trouble. Mmmmm, Glen Keeley springs to mind, who was another centre half who enjoyed a fruitful time with the Blues.

PK says: "I still believe I could have done well in The Premiership. But, playing in Italy, there is a lot more emphasis on technical skills. I am used to coaches and fans that like to see you play your way out of trouble and pass the ball to a team-mate." (07/02/06)

PK Back With Us

Good news for Moyesy, or bad whatever your thoughts are on PK, but the Danish defender should be training again next week. With Joey off to the African Nations, PK's return to fitness has come at the right time. No doubt Matteo will be centre half in Joey's absence.

Basil says: "Per Kroldrup sprained his ankle against Villa and I am expecting him back in full training in the next couple of days. It was just a routine scan and we are expecting him back in training later this week." (10/01/06)

Scan

Per is hoping a scan will clear up his problems. After twisting his ankle against Villa Per hasn't been able to do much.

Per says:"I can't use the foot to run and certainly not play matches," Kroldrup said. "It's truly irritating since I had just got back and started to work my way into the side. I will have an X-ray and then we will see what is wrong, but I don't believe it is serious." (03/01/06)

Sheriff's Badge

Moyesy please play Per over the Crimbo matches. I can't cope with all the things that we are hearing about. Like he's not up to the Premiership, he's going back to Italy, he's got a head like a sheriff's badge, he's shite. The only way to clear this all up is for him to play. Per himself hopes he gets a game soon.

Per says: 'I have been ready and waiting for my chance in the last couple of months but Joseph and David have been doing really well. I am still waiting and hopefully my chance will come.' (22/12/05)

AGM

When asked Why he had paid £5m for PK and not played him this season, Moyesy explained that the defence had been playing well.

Moyesy says: "Joseph Yobo will need to go away for the African Nations Cup in January. But if they play as bad as they played last week again on Sunday we will see him sooner than expected. Only today I was telling Per he is looking much more like it. There were things we felt we needed to work on him with but he is looking much better and you will see him at some point. Our defensive record is not brilliant but we are the 12th best in the Premier League after Saturday. That part of the team is not doing too bad." (25/11/05)

Patience is a Virtue

PK is frustrated not to be playing first team football at the moment, but understands the reason why Moyesy has not unleashed him onto the first team scene as yet. PK who starred and scored for the rezzies the other night, is happy too see the team, picking up points and climbing up the table.

PK says: "It was fun to get a goal, I feel the power is getting back to the legs, and I definitely feel stronger so it’s coming along alright. The back four are doing well at the moment (in the first team) and that is good for everybody, it’s important we get some points and some wins so I’m just sticking in there waiting for my chance. Of course, I’d rather just get on with it and get in to the team and get games under my belt because it is a bit frustrating sitting it out when you are used to playing every week but that is just how the situation is now and I will just have to be patient." (12/11/05)

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

He has played in the top level in Serie A, full Internationals for Denmark, but Moyesy is biding his time before throwing PK into the mix of the first team, and Premiership action. Moyesy is delighted with the Danes attitude, and no doubt the lanky defender's time will come.

Moyesy says: "One of the biggest things is to get used to playing in the Premiership and for a young centre-half that can take time. It's a completely different style of football to what he has been used to. Per has played a few reserve games and he is getting used to it. We have been watching him and his time will come. There is no doubt that there will be an opportunity for him soon. He will need to be ready to take that when it does arise. He plays for Denmark and he has played a couple of hundred games in Serie A, so we know that he has talent but the Premiership can be different. What he needs to do is get used to the pace and the tempo, as well as the ferocity of what can be required from a centre half at Everton. There will be a lot of games where he will be under a lot of pressure." (10/11/05)

Chomping At The Bit

PK will be in the squad for the visit of Chelski this Sunday, after coming through another reserve outing at Sunderland on Wednesday night. The question all Blues will be asking though, is Moyesy confident enough in the PK's fitness to put the giant Dane in the heart of his defence probably at the expense of tiring Davey Weir. PK thinks he is not far away, and the fans will hope that aswell.

PK says: "I'm getting there now, I just need to do some more training and play some more games and I am fairly comfortable that I will soon be in the team. I want to get back in the team and obviously I want to play. It has been a frustrating start for me as I haven't played in the first team yet. But I need to look ahead and look at the next game and I'm hoping to play and everyone else is hoping to play and do well. I haven't set any targets, will just do my best in training and get in some reserve games an I just hope that as soon as possible I will be playing in the first team.

I want to be involved in all the games, especially those against the big teams (like Chelsea), as these are the most fun to play. I think the whole team is looking forward to Sunday and we want to make a good effort and perhaps take the victory. It's true that Chelsea are the massive favourites, there's no doubt about it, and there's always pressure when you are bottom of the table and we need to make some points and we will try to do that on Sunday." (21/10/05)

Switched On

PK's first taste of reserve football on Thursday is something he won't forget. It was fast and furious stuff. Nothing like the games he's used to in Italy. He should get another chance to improve his match fitness when Everton Reserves take on Birmingham City at Haig Avenue next Tuesday, 11th October 2005.

PK says: “The Premiership is going to be a step up again but I have spoken with the manager a lot and I have felt that training has been good. It was nice getting back on the pitch again. We have a couple of days off now and we will need it! It's been very difficult to describe. I really wanted to do so well when I got here and I had just got through my preparations, so to get injured was very frustrating. Now I am just keeping my focus of getting back into the squad as soon as possible. I didn't feel any twinges and feel very good. I have trained really hard over the last few days and I felt it a bit against Manchester United. It is hard to tell when I will be ready.

It's so different from a reserve game back in Italy. The style is completely different and you have to be switched on for 90 minutes. You can't take a break but I think it was all right. I need these games to get back to full fitness. I have got to get use to English football. It's very different from the game back in Italy. Manchester United were good and it was an okay game, apart from the result. There were too many mistakes but I think that was because of the tempo. Everyone wants to do things very fast. Sometimes it's a bit too fast!" (08/10/05)

Reserve Outing

Moyesy should have PK fit and raring to go by the time we visit Spurs a week on Saturday. PK made the bench for Sunday's defeat at Shitteeh, but that was only because Moyesy was short on numbers. With a reserve outing against man ure on Thursday evening at his disposal, Moyesy is sure to include the Danish International in his second string, for some badly needed match practice.

Moyesy says: "Per was really only on the bench because we are short of numbers. Ideally I’d like to have left him for another week or two’s training and get him a couple of reserve games but hopefully this is the start of him getting himself ready to play." (04/10/05)

Full Time Training

New signing, Danish defender Per Kroldrup has stepped up from light fitness work, to full time training. The news is sure to boost Moyesy's mood, in that his £5m Summer signing, may only be weeks away from a first team outing. Like the rest of the squad, solidarity seems to be the key word at the moment. PK is sure the Blues can turn their terrible form around, starting tomorrow at home with Bucharest.

PK says: "Everything is coming along right now and I am happy with the way things are going. It has not been easy to see what has been going on, so it has been a long six weeks that I have been out. I have got to prove my fitness but I am very eager to get some games again.

The start of the season has been disappointing but we're all confident that we can turn things around. Sometimes these things happen in football and you just have to keep working hard and get on the right track again. Confidence is very important so when you lose you do not have that much confidence but you just have to keep on trying and I'm sure that the games will go our way soon.

I have watched English football for many years and it is different to Italian football but I know I have to prove myself. I just want to wait and see, and take things one day at a time. I have not played for six weeks so my fitness is not at its maximum but I'm just eager to get going as soon as possible. There is no point targeting a date. I just need to get ready and show that I can play a part." (28/09/05)

Per Nearly There

Moyesy is predicting that in the next few weeks, Blues fans will get their first glimpse of Danish International and Everton new boy Per Kroldrup. Per who has been out with a groin problem is according to the boss, making excellent progress.

Moyesy says: "We are starting to get some faces back in. We have had some good news with Per and he is beginning to make a bit of progress. He'll be rejoining us soon." (05/09/05)

Out For 6 Weeks

An operation on his injured groin will keep keep Per out for up to 6 weeks. The new signing has yet to start a competitive match with Everton.

Basil Rathbone says: “Per is getting his operation on Tuesday afternoon - it is the usual footballers’ groin injury and it would have been hard for him to carry on playing at this stage of the season when you have just kicked off. We sat down and discussed it and agreed the best thing is to get it done because the weeks he could have continued playing is more or less same period of time it would take to make a recovery from the surgery.” (14/08/05)

PK May Need Surgery

PK has a groin injury, but should be ok for the manure game on Saturday. If it gets any worse he may need to have an operation to cure it.

Moyesy says: "Per Kroldrup has got a bit of a groin strain that may in time need surgery. We are not sure, but we have got a squad now and not everybody can be selected. I can only select 11 and you have to pick what you think is right at the time." (11/08/05)

Looking Forward To Europe

After making his debut in the 1-0 win over Udinese, Per has now turned his mind to the Champions League.

PK says: "It's definitely going to be tough. It will take the whole team to work for each other. Villarreal are a great team, but I have no doubt we can accomplish our aim. Spanish teams are all good at keeping the ball. We just have to let them play and try to counter attack and take our opportunities." (04/08/05)

Cut The Mustard

The centre half who could eventually oust Davey Weir out of the first team, can cut the mustard in the Premiership, according to none other than Davey Weir. Davey has been well impressed with the 26yr old Danish International, and he believes Everton have a great player in the making.

Davey says: "He looks very good. He obviously has pedigree. He has played for Denmark and has played in the Italian league for four years, so he is obviously a good player. From what I have seen so far in training and in the games he has played he has done very well. I think the majority of Scandinavian players have the attributes to do well in the Premier League. Per definitely looks to be in the same mould.

You want competition for every position especially as we will be playing as many games as we are next season. Doing well and trying to stay in the team, is what football is all about. Three or even four centre halves is what we need. I'm sure the manager is working to bring players into every position." (21/07/05)

Worth The Wait

Whilst he is a new name to most Blues fans', Per Kroldrup attracted himself to Moyesy over three years ago. Moyesy has made no attempt to disguise the fact that he has stalked the Danish defender, after watching him impress when on a flying visit to Italy three years ago. Lets hope he is worth the wait, Moyesy.

Moyesy says: "I went to Udinese three years ago with my pro’s licence when Roy Hodgson was there and noticed Per then. I have been keeping a sideways eye on him ever since. I was a little surprised we were able to get him, but we did. The Premiership is new to him and hopefully he will be able to get up to speed. But he is an international defender who has great experience from his time in Italy.

He has had to develop a lot in the last three years but he has done that. And he has had a very good 12 months in Italy.

PK says: Italy is a much more tactical game. In England there is a lot of pressure all the time because the fans want to see a lot of action and that is very different from the Italian way of playing. Scandinavian players probably adapt easier to the English game than other players coming to the Premiership because they give everything when they go on to the pitch, just like English players. At Udinese I played in front of 20,000 people for every home game. At Everton it will be 40,000. And it will be 40,000 very passionate fans so I am looking forward to it." (05/07/05)

Moyes Influence

Everton's new signing has revealed that the Moyes effect was a big reason that he signed for Everton. He has spoken to Ex-Everton favourite Tommy Gravesen, who in turn gave Moyesy a glowing report. Per has signed a four year deal.

PK says: "The manager was a big influence in my decision and obviously he has done very well here. I have spoken to Tommy and he spoke very warmly about the manager. That was important for me. Tommy was a big influence because he had five very good years here. I have spoken to him in the last week and he only had positive things to say about David. That was a big help in making a decision like this.

The manager spoke to me about what he wants. He wants me to play the ball, in the way we do on the continent, in order to influence the game and the play. I am a pretty physical player because of my height and my stature but I am a player who likes to keep the ball on the ground and play it a lot. That is what I have been doing in Italy. Here the game is different and I will have to adjust my game as well. But I have come this far playing my game and I will try and do it here as well. I want to enjoy the best part of my career here at Everton.” (29/06/05)

Full 2005/2006 Squad