The young Everton centre-back has produced some encouraging performances.
Mason Holgate has seized his opportunity to become a regular at the heart of the Everton defence this season and his team-mate Phil Jagielka has been full of praise for the youngster.
Having previously often featured at right-back for Everton, Holgate has frequently been deployed at the heart of the defence this campaign, especially since Sam Allardyce’s appointment as manager, and the youngster has emerged with much credit.
Jagielka has been a victim of Holgate’s success at times as he has found himself left out of the starting lineup on some occasions, but the experienced defender has been delighted with the progress that the prospect has made.
As reported by the club’s official website, Jagielka said: “Mason got a chance against West Ham and played really well.
“Sometimes as a young lad you tend to get pulled out of the team if an older pro gets fit. But I was delighted the manager stuck with him.
“He deserved it. I thought he was man of the match away at Newcastle [a 1-0 win] and he has performed exceptionally well.
“It is nice that he has got some confidence and developed a good, solid partnership with Ashley Williams as well.
“We are all pulling in the same direction. We are not pulling against each other, we want to push each other on to perform well.”
Jagielka has produced some encouraging performances when he has been called upon this season and the 35-year-old will hope to have a major part to play in the remainder of the campaign as Everton aim to preserve their Premier League status.
Although Everton are in ninth place in the Premier League, they still have much work to do in order to stay up as they are just six points clear of the relegation zone.
Everton host Leicester City on Wednesday before travelling to face Arsenal on Saturday, with Allardyce’s side having lost three of their last four Premier League games.
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