Mason Holgate was one of the players who was expected to leave Everton last summer. However, the Englishman, who spent last season on loan at West Brom, has been one of Toffees’ best players.
The versatile defender’s performances this campaign earned him a new long-term deal at the club and he is now one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti’s team sheet.
Everton fans aren’t the only ones who have been impressed with Holgate this season. Toffees skipper Seamus Coleman spoke to the club’s official website about his young teammate where he heaped praise on his qualities.
He said: “I see Mason Holgate growing as a leader every week and we need to build a culture in the dressing room to demand from each other. We all need to make sure we are part of that and give everything for the cause.”
“I am very impressed with Mason. I think he has been great, for a young lad he has shown great leadership qualities. It means a lot to him to play for the club. He is turning into a real man and we are lucky to have him.”
Everton’s owners have shown incredible ambition in the last two years. From sanctioning a big money move for Ricahrlison to bringing in a manager of Carlo Ancelotti’s stature, the Toffees are heading in the right direction.
It would be very easy for a club to just focus on new signings to compete with the other teams around them. However, Everton deserve a lot of credit for noticing their own players’ performances and a new contract to Holgate showed exactly that.
Holgate could become England’s first choice defender soon
The 23-year-old would certainly have crossed Gareth Southgate’s mind ahead of his team selection for what was supposed to be this summer’s European championships.
If Holgate continues the same kind of form, he could become one of the favourites to get into the squad next summer which would be a massive moment for him in his career.
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