Time to step aside? Phil Jagielka struggled badly in Everton’s defeat to Swansea City on Saturday – and Burnley’s Michael Keane could replace him.
Phil Jagielka may have rolled back the years with a number of stand-out performances reminiscent of his David Moyes heyday in recent weeks, even netting in three successive games last month.
However, his ropey performance in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Swansea City merely highlighted exactly why Toffees manager Ronald Koeman appears to have made a new centre-back his top priority at Goodison Park this summer, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
Jagielka’s distribution was poor all afternoon while he never looked capable of dealing with the thunderous aerial threat of Swans’ target man Fernando Llorente. The Spaniard out-muscled the 34-year-old veteran for his first-half winner and that set the tone for a damaging afternoon for Jagielka’s reputation.
This is not the first-time the former England international’s deficiencies have been laid bare this season. In fact, if Ramiro Funes Mori had not suffered a season ending injury, Jagielka may have been winding down his Everton career on the bench.
After all, he was dropped seemingly indefinitely be Koeman after picking up the most naive of red cards in a defeat to Arsenal before Christmas.
And his performance against Swansea appears to only further justify Everton’s reported interest in Burnley defender Michael Keane. The Daily Mirror reported that the former Manchester United youngster could cost the club up to £25 million but it’s increasingly clear that The Toffees cannot afford to turn their nose up at such promising talents in the face of an extortionate transfer fee.
Keane, in many ways, is reminiscent of Jagielka in his younger days; a typically British centre-half who thrives with his back against the wall.
And you would certainly have backed him to go head-to-head, quite literally, with Llorente. Jagielka no longer inspires the same confidence.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
