Everton defender Phil Jagielka has commented on his future.
Andriy Shevchenko of Chelsea in action against Phil Jagielka of Sheffield United
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has told Sky Sports that he is focusing on his future at Goodison Park rather than links to Sheffield United and Sunderland.
The Toffees moved to sign Jagielka from Sheffield United back in the summer of 2007, having made 287 appearances for the Blades, scoring 22 times.
Jagielka has become a vital part of the setup at Goodison Park over the last ten years, racking up almost 350 games for the club whilst scoring 18 goals.
In 2013, Jagielka was appointed as Everton captain following Phil Neville’s departure, and he has also earned 40 England caps since making his move to Merseyside.
Now though, his future has been brought into question. Not only did Everton bring in another experienced centre back last summer in Ashley Williams, but manager Ronald Koeman is widely expected to bring in a younger defender during the upcoming transfer window.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka in action with Swansea City’s Jordan Ayew
That could push Jagielka down the pecking order, and with just one year left on his contract, some are suggesting that the 34-year-old could move on this summer.
A move to reunite with ex-Everton boss David Moyes at Sunderland has been mooted, whilst a return to Sheffield United – newly promoted to the Championship – has also been suggested in recent weeks.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka celebrates scoring
Now, Jagielka has told Sky Sports that he is merely focusing on his Everton career, and whilst he couldn’t completely ruling out the possibility of leaving Goodison Park, he suggested that the Sheffield United and Sunderland speculation is ‘amusing’.
“It is not really about me and what I hope,” said Jagielka. “Obviously I will get time off with the rest of the lads and prepare myself to go back for preseason and see where the land lies. I am delighted to be here. I have been here a long time now. I have got at least one more year on my contract and I feel as though I have got a lot more football in me. It is up to me to come back in pre-season and prove to the manager that I am not too bad and hopefully I can stick around.”
“It is amusing. It is the way football is. If there is a slow story day, obviously people will chuck stuff out. You can never say never but I am looking forward to finishing off the season well, having a break and then coming back all guns blazing and trying to keep hold of my place in the team,” he added.
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