Elsewhere on the defensive side, when contesting aerial duels he had a habit of relying on his considerable frame, and perhaps raising his arms instead of timing his jump. This only won him 58% of tussles last season—not such a special return for a player standing over 6 ft 4.  However this season he had been dominant, calculating his leap far more conscientiously and winning 78% of duels—again leading the Toffees for players with over five attempts, whilst significantly trumping the club average which (amusingly) stands at 50%.
Last season Everton conceded 31 goals in the 18 games Fellaini missed and a more miserly 24 in the 20 he played. This year he has tightened the defensive core further, shipping just 21 goals in the 21 games he has appeared in. He has also been dribbled past and beaten less, while continuing his impressive ability to read the game, making 36 interceptions so far this campaign.
When Everton do have the ball he has also upped his production, improving his passing ability is three crucial areas. Most significantly in the final third of the field, where Everton must be more accurate now deprived of the intricate creative skills of Mikel Arteta. He is also far more assured when in possession, only coughing up the ball once every 96 minutes, compared the 69 minutes he surrendered play last season.
With some notable seismic improvements, and most numbers augmented across the board, only three of these 13 categories see any reduction in his game. His ground duel success rate has slightly wavered, slipping from 54% to 51% and he has conjured up slightly less chances for his team, although both are marginal declines and very rectifiable by the end of the season.
The sole area he may be keen to monitor is his foul count, something he has always been battling since moving to English shores. With seven bookings, David Moyes will not want to see his prize asset reach 10 before the 8th of April, a tally that would incur a two game suspension. Everton will not benefit from his continuing ascent in the game if he is unable to play.
Signed for £15 million, Fellaini was not on many Evertonians’ radar when he first arrived at the club. On the field it was clear he had raw potential and undoubted pedigree, but initially he often looked awkward and ungainly in possession. He also appeared unable to curb his tendency to foul.
His considerable price tag saw many question the logic and sanity of investing so much on such a working project. Thrust up front for much of his first season, a scenario never questioned by Fellaini, he was unable to ever showcase his true strengths in these early outings, causing sections of support to unfairly chastise their record signing.
Right now for the Toffees, along with Leighton Baines, he is undeniably the club’s most crucial component and key presence on the pitch. What truly validates his transfer is the fact he recently agreed to sign a bumper new deal at the club. David Moyes has gradually moulded and crafted him into this top performer, and now he gets to see his project through. Should Fellaini leave, it will have to be for a considerably higher fee than what was spent on him in 2008.
Just how good Fellaini is, will be a subject for another day. Moyes has never been shy to label the Belgian as an élite player in his position, and that is something I am going to investigate next week, comparing his return this season with some other stand-out combative midfielders.
For Everton, Fellaini’s rapid transformation has made him indispensable for the team. At the end of this term his stellar defensive attributes will be pitted against the creative powers of Leighton Baines, in what should be a two-horse race for the club’s Player of the Season. Judging by how much an underrated defence unit have bailed out their misfiring attack, at this stage Fellaini seems the deserving recipient.
