Michael Keane shares why Bill Kenwright called him regularly – and what he said

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Michael Keane struggled in his first season at Everton.

Everton defender Michael Keane has told The Mirror of his struggles last season – and revealed that chairman Bill Kenwright would call him last season to make sure he was okay.

The Toffees were looking for defensive reinforcements in the summer of 2017, and landed what appeared to be a coup by luring centre back Keane away from Burnley in a £30million deal.

Having earned England caps and starred for the Clarets, Keane was seen a huge signing for Everton – but his first season at Goodison Park didn’t quite go to plan.

Keane struggled in Ronald Koeman’s back line, and whilst he improved under Sam Allardyce, he still left Everton fans unconvinced as his first season came to an end.

Everton then went and signed two centre backs over the summer, bringing in Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina on deadline day in August – but Keane has remained a key part of Marco Silva’s back line.

Now back in the England squad for upcoming games against the United States and Croatia, Keane is getting back to his best – but has now opened up on last season’s nightmare.

Keane has admitted that he didn’t even want to leave the house at times last season, and revealed that chairman Bill Kenwright called him regularly to reassure him about his quality as fans were criticising his performances, with Keane adding that he can’t thank Kenwright enough for that personal touch.

“There were a few months when things were going really badly and I did not really want to go and do things out of the house,” said Keane. “It is really sad when managers get sacked and they talk to you for the last time and see how visibly upset they are. That gets to you and makes you feel guilty and want to make sure it does not happen again. We had three managers in the end and it was difficult, all the change constantly happening.”

“Yes, he (Kenwright) called me two or three times at the low points when people were saying what they were saying about me because I wasn’t playing well and the team wasn’t playing well. But Bill told me how much he believed me and to keep working hard and that he had faith that I could become one of the greats from the club. So to have that support from the chairman when things weren’t going so well – for him to have so much faith in me and I wasn’t giving it back to him – I can’t thank him enough for that,” he added.