Jonny Evans is claiming he was never distracted by Manchester City’s interest during the transfer window but was inspired to become a better player by the clamour for his services.
The West Bromwich Albion captain was the subject of speculation from several Premier League clubs last month, with City pursuing the 29-year-old until transfer deadline day. Albion’s determination to keep Evans, coupled with Eliaquim Mangala failing to leave the Etihad Stadium, thwarted a move to City but the speculation had no repercussions for Northern Ireland in the two World Cup qualifiers that have followed.
Evans produced impressive performances against San Marino and the Czech Republic as Michael O’Neill’s side secured second place in group C and a probable play-off berth with two matches remaining. And the former Manchester United defender admits interest from City and Arsenal spurred him on to improve.
“I’m probably playing my best football now and I still think I can push that on,” said Evans, who has missed Albion’s impressive start to the season due to hamstring trouble. “That’s my aim, that’s my drive. The most important thing is I’m pleased none of the speculation has affected me. It’s made me more determined than ever to try to be a better player. I’m happy.
“I don’t make the decisions. I’m just sort of in the middle with two clubs after me. Manchester City first have to decide do they want you, or any club has to decide if they want you, and your own club has to decide whether to sell you. You’ve just got to let those decisions be made by two different parties. You’ve got to then make your own decision and it never got to that stage.”
Evans admits the uncertainty over his future was nothing new and believes Albion will ultimately benefit from his determination to improve. He explained: “I’ve been there before in transfer windows – Man United to West Brom happened quite late-on and then the next year, after the Euros, there was interest from Arsenal. You just deal with it as a footballer.
“A lot of players go through it. Man City made a bid a month or so ago and that heightened the speculation. That was out in the press. But, leading up to the end of the window, I was calm about everything and I was just trying to get back to being fit for wherever I ended up, so I could be at the top of my game.”
The defender put Northern Ireland on course for a record-extending fifth consecutive victory on Monday against the Czech Republic with only his second international goal.
O’Neill’s team are in a strong position to claim one of the eight play-off places for four World Cup berths and Evans believes no one will want to draw Northern Ireland should they get there.
He added: “We don’t concede many goals. We are decent on the break, from corners, from free-kicks. No one likes to play against that because it’s a horrible way to play and they know they will have to be on top of their game if they want to beat us.”