Ramiro Funes Mori started ahead of Phil Jagielka in Everton’s last match against West Ham United.
Ronald Koeman has told FourFourTwo that Everton defender Phil Jagielka was rested from his side’s match against West Ham United as a precautionary matter.
Everton have a busy schedule over the next few months, with a number of games lined up.
And Koeman was worried whether Jagielka would be able to cope with playing such a large volume of matches in a short space of time.
As a result, the Dutch boss said that he brought Ramiro Funes Mori into his line-up to face the Hammers, to ensure that Jagielka remains fresh.
“Sometimes it is a fitness question. I had already thought [about resting Jagielka] before the Burnley game but sometimes you think ‘Why change after a very good defensive performance against City?’ but I like to protect Jags,” Koeman said.
“November, December and January will be very tough for everyone and sometimes you need to give players a chance to show and that was the final reason I gave the chance to Funes.”
Jagielka and Ashley Williams have generally been Everton’s first choice defensive pairing over the season so far.
The experienced pair have impressed, with Everton looking like a far more solid outfit this season than they were last time around.
Everton’s win over West Ham has lifted them up to sixth in the Premier League table, and keeps them within touching distance of the Champions League qualification places.
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