ABEL XAVIER “CLUBS WANTED ME TO CHANGE MY HAIR BEFORE SIGNING – I SAID, ‘NO, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE’”

You left PSV to sign for Everton in 1999 – what did you make of English football?

My feelings about England were the same as players today: that’s the country you want to play in as a professional footballer. I almost signed for West Ham, but in the end I chose Everton – Walter Smith convinced me.

Did you get on well with Paul Gascoigne?

In terms of team spirit, every player would have loved him on their side. He should have been one of the best players in the world.