Gabby Agbonlahor has been questioning the loyalty of Everton boss Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard controversially agreed to become Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term replacement at Goodison Park this past summer.
It was such a controversial move because Benitez previously managed Liverpool and delivered their fifth Champions League title back in 2005.
Despite the controversy, Everton have performed pretty well since Benitez came aboard, winning 10 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League.
However, Agbonlahor, who was only ever on Aston Villa’s books during his career, has said that he can’t quite get on board with the former Liverpool boss due to his connections on the red half of Merseyside.
He told talkSPORT: “I can’t have Benitez. Honestly. I was based on loyalty with Aston Villa but you look at Benitez, he just chose to go to Everton because it’s local. It’s like me finishing my career and saying ‘alright Birmingham City, can you give me like £5,000 or £10,000 per week and I’ll sign for you because it’s an extra payday. Something about Benitez I can’t have.”
There’s a lot of Everton fans who felt the exact same way as the former Villa man.
But what the supporters ultimately want is results and so far, Benitez has done quite a good job at producing them.
Losing 3-0 to Aston Villa last weekend was his first defeat as Toffees boss and although it won’t be his last, there’ll also be a lot of victories too and that fact might convert some nay-sayers.
The Goodison Park side are sixth in the Premier League table and if they can stay within reach of a top-four finish for much of the season, genuinely competing for Champions League football, Benitez’s popularity will grow in a massive way.
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