Phil Jagielka is set to stay at Everton for the rest of the season after the Toffees snubbed an offer from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
Phil Jagielka is no longer a guaranteed member of Everton’s starting XI.
The veteran centre-back has appeared from the off in 14 of the Toffees’ Premier League games this season, including the 2-1 win against Leicester City on Wednesday night, but appears to be behind Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and even the miserably out-of-form Ashley Williams in Everton’s pecking order.
And the addition of Eliaquim Mangala on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season does not do Jagielka’s chances of a regular role under Sam Allardyce much good.
Although that does not mean the Toffees were willing to part with their longest-serving player on transfer deadline day.
West Ham boss David Moyes obviously knows Jagielka well form his many years in charge at Goodison Park and, in fact, it was the Scot that brought him to Merseyside in the first place after Sheffield United’s relegation in 2007.
And the Hammers were seemingly on the lookout for one more defender in the January transfer window, albeit without much luck as striker Jordan Hugill was the only new face at the London Stadium by 1 February.
As it stands, Jagielka has a contract at Everton until 2019 and it appears that he has a good chance of seeing that out despite his reduced role in the Toffees’ plans.
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