Everton’s Phil Jagielka reminded fans of his talent last week.
Sam Allardyce has told Everton’s official website that evergreen centre-back Phil Jagielka is a “true professional” who can benefit his side this season.
The 35-year-old earned his first start under the new Everton boss last week when the Toffees drew 0-0 with Premier League champions Chelsea.
Jagielka, signed by David Moyes over 10 years ago, started alongside Michael Keane in the heart of Allardyce’s defence and rolled back the years with a youthful, solid display.
The former Sheffield United captain was heavily linked with a move away from Goodison Park under Ronald Koeman during the summer, before he wound up staying.
And Allardyce is delighted with him so far.
“I thought Phil was brilliant, lasting as long as he did,” Allardyce told Everton’s website.
“He has been out for a while and is getting on in years – but he is keeping himself extremely fit. In all honesty, I did not want to keep him on for the full 90 minutes but because I felt I needed to make changes tactically at half-time – and then [Idrissa] Gana was injured – we did not have any substitutes left.
“But, as always, the true professional he is, he stayed on right until the end and helped us get a valuable point.”
Jagielka was back on the bench for the 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion a few days later, but it’s a good thing that Allardyce knows he can rely on such an experienced figure off the bench.
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