Former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall has warned manager Roberto Martinez to steer clear of signing Joey Barton after comparing the QPR midfielder to Forrest Gump.
Southall, who in his playing career was far from the consummate athlete, likened Barton to the fictional character played by Tom Hanks in the 1994 film of the same name.
Barton has said he would sacrifice a large proportion of his reported €80,000-a-week wages to play for his boyhood club but Southall believes it would be a mistake.
Asked whether he thought Barton would be a good signing the former Wales international said: “I think they have already got a kitman. What is he going to add to Everton? He might be a half-decent player at times but, if he was that good, Harry Redknapp would be begging him to stay at QPR.
“I don’t see how he will fit into Everton’s style of play. He ain’t the best passer in the world. Yes he is fit and runs up and down all day but Forrest Gump did that as well didn’t he?”
Barton spent last season on loan at Marseille but appears to have no future at Loftus Road after their relegation to the Championship.