Five Years Between Hope and Reality

 Julien’s Time at Everton (2000–2005)

Julien arrived at Everton in the summer of 2000, full of promise—a gifted midfielder with technical skills and tactical intelligence. His Premier League introduction came in Walter Smith’s side—a team fighting to avoid relegation in the second half of the 2000/01 season. During these pressured months, Julien featured mostly as a substitute, rarely finding a rhythm as the club scrambled for survival.

Sensing the need for regular football, Everton sent Julien on loan to Preston North End for the entire 2001/02 season. This move proved fruitful: in the Championship, he played week in, week out, quickly establishing himself as a key part of the Preston side. Goals and assists followed, his confidence grew, and he caught the eye of David Moyes—then Preston’s manager.

In 2002/03, Moyes took over at Everton and was keen to trust Julien, who began the season as a starter. His progress was interrupted by a serious ankle injury, keeping him out for two months. During his absence, Everton went on a remarkable six-game winning streak. Upon Julien’s return, results dipped—the club lost back-to-back matches, and the manager opted for consistency, sending Julien back to Preston for the second half of the season. He played 18 Championship matches that year, starting in 17, gaining further invaluable experience. Everton, meanwhile, sealed a superb 7th place in the Premier League.

For 2003/04, Julien finally spent a full season as part of the Everton squad. He made 23 league appearances (10 starts, 13 from the bench) and notched up two assists, but failed to score. It was a difficult year for the club—after the previous success, Everton slumped dramatically to 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation with just 39 points. The board kept faith with Moyes, but overhauled the squad. Julien, now deemed surplus, found himself edged out of the plans for 2004/05.

Everton tried to sell him during the summer of 2004, but there was only interest from direct PL rivals (where Everton didn't let him go) and from Championship sides (where Julien didn't want to go), so Julien was loaned to Bochum in Germany. The club, fresh off a surprise 5th-place finish, hoped to build on that, but instead endured a tough campaign—Bochum finished 16th and dropped out of the Bundesliga, with Julien making 26 Bundesliga appearances, scoring no goals and registering just a single assist.

By summer 2005, Julien’s Everton contract expired. Worn down by inconsistent form, injuries, and lack of stability, he faced his next career turning point not with excitement, but uncertainty. The summer market offered several options that required real soul-searching. Bochum, despite wanting him to help them bounce straight back to the Bundesliga, never truly felt like home—his season there was marked by isolation, a lack of connection in the dressing room, and too many bad memories from the relegation fight. Meanwhile, Grenoble and Troyes in Ligue 2 both saw him as a potential central figure, and returning to France offered comfort and a new start. Belgian side Charleroi also expressed interest, but their plan for Julien was clear: he would be a squad player, a utility man rather than a trusted starter.

Julien wrestled with the decision for weeks, aware that staying out of comfort zones could help rebuild his career, but also realizing the importance of trust and the right environment. In the end, the prospect of playing a leading role, being close to home, and finally enjoying football again tipped the scales—Julien signed for Grenoble, ready for a fresh beginning.

See you next time with Julien's first season at Grenoble.