What Samuel Eto’o did at Everton that completely disrespected Graeme Jones, it was ’embarrassing’

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One of the most eye-catching transfers of the 2013 summer transfer window was when Samuel Eto’o joined Everton.

The striker had just finished up a stint at Chelsea, and was looking for a new club.

Despite some initial interest from Liverpool before Brendan Rodgers ultimately signed Mario Balotelli, it was Everton who landed Eto’o.

The star signed a two-year contract, and Evertonians were genuinely excited at seeing such a high-profile player pitching up at Goodison Park. Sure, he was past his best. But it was still Samuel Eto’o.

Sadly, Eto’o’s move to Merseyside did not particularly work out.

It was a decent enough start for the Cameroon legend, as he scored in a 6-3 defeat to his old club Chelsea on his debut.

But Eto’o ended up leaving just halfway through his first season with Everton, and there was one thing that happened that marked the beginning of the end for him.

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How Samuel Eto’o disrespected Graeme Jones at Everton before early exit

It was a shame that Eto’o left so early, but realistically his exit was unavoidable in the end.

The Liverpool Echo previously reported that Eto’o didn’t take kindly to being benched for a game against Queen’s Park Rangers, after he had just played a ful match against Manchester City.

The Echo reported that Eto’o initially refused to go on in that game when manager Roberto Martinez wanted to substitute him on. He is reported to have bellowed: “I am Eto’o. I am Eto’o.”

There was also an instance of Eto’o showing some serious ego, with Aiden McGeady – a teammate of him at Everton at the time – dishing the dirt on the Open Goal podcast a few years ago. He was struck up a good friendship with Eto’o, but he did share how the striker lacked professionalism, citing a time he disrespected assistant manager Graeme Jones, who had just joined the club.

He said: “We played Europa League – I can’t remember who we played and Sammy was on the bench but had no shorts on, or boots or socks. He had joggers on but didn’t have any of his kit on.

“Graeme Jones – the assistant was like Sammy you’re going on. He was like to the kitman, ‘Can you go in and get my boots, my shinpads, socks,’ everything right.

“Ten minutes has gone by and he was putting on his socks so slowly honestly it was embarrassing. He was putting on his socks and Jones who was brand new was hurrying him up.

“Eto’o said ‘hey this man here, the name?’

“It was amazing. I was like Sammy that’s the assistant manager.

“He was quite outspoken. Obviously he would be because he’s played for some of the biggest teams in the world. He was hilarious.”

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Samuel Eto’o is one of the all-time great strikers

It is still surprising to think Samuel Eto’o played for Everton.

At one point in his career, he was arguably the best striker in the world, scoring an absoutley bucket-load of goals for Barcelona and helping them to dominate in the late 2000s.

Eto’o made 199 appearances for Barca, scoring 130 goals and making 34 assists.

He also had a pretty good spell with Inter, banging in 53 goals in 102 games, providing 22 assists.

His spells at these two clubs helped him to win the African Player of the Year award four times.

By the time Eto’o got to the Premier League though he was past his best and for Everton, Eto’o scored just four goals in 20 appearances.

But to see such a genuine legend of the game in an Everton shirt at Goodison Park yet was another brilliant memory.