Andy van der Meyde’s career at Everton never quite lived up to expectations.
Signed with the promise of adding pace and skill to the midfield, his time at Goodison Park turned into a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.
Despite being brought in as a highly touted signing in 2005, his four seasons with the club were marred by injuries, personal struggles, and a rocky relationship with both his teammates and manager, David Moyes.
Van der Meyde’s Promise Turned to Disappointment at Everton
When Everton secured the Dutch winger for £2 million from Inter Milan, many were excited about the potential impact he could have on the team.
The Blues had just finished fourth in the Premier League, and van der Meyde, with his pedigree from Ajax and Inter Milan, seemed like the perfect fit.
However, things quickly took a turn for the worse.
Over the course of four seasons, the fast-paced attacker made only 20 league appearances for the Toffees.
His disappointing performances, coupled with ongoing injuries, meant that the £2 million investment turned into a financial burden, costing Everton about £312,000 for each game he played.
The promise of speed and flair never materialized, and van der Meyde’s time at the club was characterized by missed opportunities.
The Newz Bar and a Spiral into Self-Destruction
Van der Meyde’s off-field issues were as infamous as his on-field struggles.
When Royston Drenthe, a fellow Dutch footballer, arrived at Everton in 2011, he received a word of caution from van der Meyde.
“Don’t do it, boy,” van der Meyde warned, referring to the temptations of Liverpool.
He had experienced the city’s nightlife firsthand, and it had led him down a path of excess.
While sidelined with injuries, van der Meyde indulged in the nightlife scene, purchasing a Ferrari and frequenting a notorious spot known as the Newz Bar, where celebrities and footballers gathered.
His drinking and partying became part of his routine, eventually leading him to an affair with a woman named Lisa.
The affair and his destructive behavior quickly tore apart his marriage, resulting in a bitter split from his wife.
From Misfortune to Mayhem
Van der Meyde’s downward spiral continued as his personal life interfered with his professional career. He developed an addiction to sleeping pills and spiraled into heavier drinking.
His behavior began to affect his relationship with teammates and staff at Everton, including club captain Phil Neville.
Tensions rose, and his lack of professionalism eventually led to a strained relationship with manager David Moyes.
On the field, van der Meyde’s performances were equally disappointing.
In one of his most infamous moments, he was sent off just five minutes into his Merseyside derby debut for elbowing Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso. The fiery Dutchman’s reputation continued to deteriorate both on and off the pitch.
A Glimpse of Redemption and a Career at the Crossroads
Despite the chaos, van der Meyde had a brief moment of redemption.
He provided the assist for Dan Gosling’s extra-time winner in an FA Cup replay against Liverpool in 2009.
It was a moment that would somewhat redeem his time at Everton, though it wasn’t enough to salvage his overall career at the club.
By the time his contract expired in 2010, van der Meyde found himself at a crossroads.
He had alienated himself from both his family and teammates.
His career seemed over, and he moved back to the Netherlands in search of stability.
Van der Meyde Finds Stability After Years of Turmoil
After leaving the chaotic football scene in Liverpool, van der Meyde found peace in the Netherlands.
He met Melissa Schaufeli, a hairdresser, who eventually became his partner.
The couple has since built a life together, and van der Meyde has even starred in a reality TV show and shared his life on his YouTube channel.
Though his football career ended with much regret, van der Meyde has found solace in his personal life.
He now lives a quieter existence, away from the temptations of his past in Liverpool.
Reflecting on his journey, he admits to the mistakes he made and the price of living a hedonistic lifestyle that ultimately led to the downfall of his career.
A New Chapter for van der Meyde
Today, van der Meyde looks back at his time in football with mixed emotions.
While he acknowledges the opportunities he squandered, he’s found peace in his family life and his new ventures outside of football.
Despite his troubled past, he’s managed to rebuild his life and move forward from the chaos that once defined his career.
As for Liverpool, van der Meyde can rest assured that Newz Bar, a symbol of his hedonistic past, is now long gone – replaced by a more family-friendly establishment, Hooters.
