Martin Keown Reflects on Everton Stint: “I Probably Shouldn’t Have Signed”
Former Everton defender Martin Keown has shared candid insights into his time at Goodison Park, revealing he initially questioned his decision to join the club.
In an interview on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Keown disclosed that Aston Villa’s eleventh-hour bid, offering triple his initial proposed wages, nearly derailed his move to Everton.
“I probably shouldn’t have gone to Everton, as Aston Villa were offering me really low wages, but they were claiming it was the best offer. And then they offered three times more money on the last day, and I was like, well, where’s this come from?” Keown recounted.
Despite early doubts, Keown’s Everton stint proved pivotal in shaping his career. Under Howard Kendall’s guidance, he developed a tailored training regimen to manage chronic back issues.
“Howard was brilliant for me. Again, trusted me, believed in me, pushed me. But in that period at Everton, I had a chronic back injury. And I was in agony with my back. I’d go home and lie on the floor. For two years, I was doing this. I was playing for England and I couldn’t stand up straight if I bent down.”
To cope, Keown adopted an unconventional training approach, incorporating cycling, boxing, and solo beach runs.
“I used to run on the beach, down at Freshfield Beach, Formby, round on the beach down there. We’d be on a bike, I went to the spit and saw, there’s boxing clubs… We’d go in a front room, they’d ring a bell. I did that, and then turn up, and Howard used to say, you don’t have to train Martin, just do what you do every week. And that was what happened.”
This bespoke regimen transformed Keown’s game, earning him rave reviews.
“Less was more because I had to pick and choose. I couldn’t run around like an idiot anymore. I couldn’t make all these tackles. I became more like a Rolls Royce. And I thought, and then suddenly these rave reviews, what’s happened to Keown, his performances are getting better, he’s picking and choosing, he’s more calmer. I was in agony, but it made me a better player.”
Keown’s Everton experience laid the groundwork for his subsequent success at Arsenal.
Key Points:
- Martin Keown questioned his decision to join Everton due to Aston Villa’s late offer
- Chronic back issues forced Keown to adopt an unconventional training regimen
- Howard Kendall’s trust and guidance helped Keown adapt and improve
- Keown’s bespoke training approach included cycling, boxing, and solo beach runs
- The experience shaped Keown into a more refined player, earning rave reviews
Will Martin Keown’s insights inspire current players struggling with injuries? Share your thoughts!