The question was posed, the response was emphatic. When David Moyes was asked on Monday whether he was interested in selling Victor Anichebe to Reading, his message could not have been more clear.
'No, no - no truth in that,' said Moyes, after Everton had sauntered into the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-1 win at Cheltenham. 'We won’t be selling anyone in January.'
Certainly not Anichebe. In form, playing with confidence and chipping in with vital goals, the 24-year-old could yet have a profound impact on Everton’s season and his stock is gradually rising.
All smiles: Everton's Victor Anichebe has grown into a powerful and prolific striker, repaying the faith shown in him by manager David Moyes (below)Everton manager David Moyes takes his place in the dug-out for the FA Cup third round tie with Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road on Monday
How things have changed. Not so long ago, Moyes would have probably cashed in on Anichebe, regardless of how short it may have left his squad, rather than issue a robust ‘hands-off’ about the Nigeria striker.
Life at Goodison Park, after all, has not always been straightforward where Anichebe is concerned. On several occasions he has come close to being ushered out the door and a manager with less patience than Moyes would surely have snapped.
For a long time, it seemed as if petulance and poor decision making would prevent Anichebe’s career from taking flight and two high profile incidents, at the start of 2009 and in December 2010, stick in the mind.
The first was all to do with him being dropped from Everton’s squad for an FA Cup replay against Liverpool. Upset that Moyes had blocked a move to Hull City on transfer deadline day, Anichebe declared himself to be injured the following morning.
Vital intervention: Anichebe slots home the winning goal against Newcastle at St James' Park last month, to his great delight (below)
As he had no fit senior strikers for the game, Moyes had been relying on Anichebe and he took the injury claim as a personal affront. The player was sent home from training that day and banished to the stands for a game Everton won 1-0.
The second incident, meanwhile, came after he turned down the offer of a lucrative contract. Everton officials were dismayed with his attitude, as were the Goodison crowd.
Anichebe - who later signed a four-year deal - was booed for a spell after that during every home game and he could easily have folded at that point.
There has been interest in Anichebe from Championship clubs during the past 12 months but Moyes has taken the stance that his is a talent worth persevering with and that patience is paying off.
Strong asset: Anichebe has shown his worth all over the final third, including in the airMoyes may have been driven to distraction more times than he cared for by Anichebe but he has always been of the opinion there is a top footballer waiting to emerge from that powerful frame and now his judgement is proving spot on.
Anichebe, who has not always enjoyed the greatest fortune with injuries, has all the attributes to become a fearsome top flight striker; strength, stature, aggression, pace and a keen eye for goal. Confidence has been the only things missing.
Now, though, he is beginning to play like he believes he is worthy of his place in Everton’s squad. He has benefited from getting sound advice off the field from new advisers, while team-mates have noticed a discernible change in his demeanour.
'Victor has played very well,’ said Moyes. ‘We want to keep him fit and him to have a bit of self-confidence. He is an important player for us and a lot people under-estimate what he can do for us.’
Significantly, Moyes is not one - and with that backing, Anichebe has the platform to finally deliver on his rich potential.
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