The Toffees boss has waxed lyrical about the man he hopes will step up to replace John Stones.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo, that Mason Holgate was superb for his side against Stoke City on Saturday and marked opposing star Marko Arnautovic out of the game.
The Toffees beat the Potters 1-0 on Saturday and man-of-the-match was awarded to Holgate, in just his third Premier League appearance.
The 19-year-old is expected to play a much bigger role under Koeman this season following the departure of his fellow former Barnsley prodigy John Stones to Manchester City.
Stones’ departure, after the centre-back developed from a promising football league star into a regular England international on Merseyside, leaves Holgate as the player considered the next big thing at Goodison Park.
Koeman has placed his faith firmly in the teenager so far this campaign, and he was rewarded on Saturday as Holgate performed superbly, nullifying the threat posed by Stoke star Arnautovic, who scored 12 goals last season.
The Dutch boss said of Holgate, via the Echo: “It’s very positive how Mason Holgate is doing, how he is developing himself and the game time he is getting. He was part of the good defensive organisation.
“He has big quality for a young player. It looks like he’s very comfortable on the pitch. Of course, he has the confidence of the manager and the rest of the players – but you need to perform on the pitch and he’s doing that.
“If you play against Marko Arnautovic, it’s difficult for a defender because he’s a good player. But I didn’t see Arnautovic – and that’s a big, big compliment for Holgate.”
Koeman – and Everton fans – will be hoping that Holgate can continue his fine early-season form and make the step up from promising youth player to solid first-team regular as they look to form a new defensive partnership at the back after Stones’ exit.
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