Jagielka going nowhere this month

Lyndon Lloyd Tuesday, 31 January, 2017 14comments | Jump to most recent

Ronald Koeman says that Everton can't afford to let Phil Jagielka leave the club this month given the need for competition and cover in defence.

The captain is believed to have become unsettled after losing his starting role at Goodison and, at age 34, is eager to keep playing first-team football.

That has led to speculation linking him away from Everton but Koeman insists that the veteran must stay because of his value to the squad.

“I spoke to Phil and he accepts it," the Dutchman said in the Liverpool Echo.

"We spoke about his position and the need to fight like everybody who is not involved or starting because we need competition.

“We need competition with defenders and we need competition with front players

“I understand it's difficult. He's the captain but we like to keep him because he can play an important role to the end of the season.”

The manager's comments suggest that any attempt to sign Michael Keane, a potential long-term replacement for Jagielka, are likely to be unsuccessful this month and would likely have to be put off until the summer.

Reader Comments (14)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 30/01/2017 at 23:40:49

Good to hear.

He will be needed, and I predict he will come up big for us at some point in the second half of the season.

Anthony Dwyer
2 Posted 30/01/2017 at 23:44:06

Agreed Mike, Jags can't become useless over night, he's just at that stage in his career were he needs to be used sparingly.

Jags and Barry should both be allowed to find new clubs for next season though.

Kenny Smith
4 Posted 30/01/2017 at 23:58:52

Glad about this for a couple of reasons. Sounds like we're hanging in for Keane in the summer and Jags deserves a testimonial. It'd be a shame if he went with 9½ years of service.

Kevin Rowlands
5 Posted 31/01/2017 at 00:10:05

All good, Keane in the summer and Jags to be given a warm send off at the end of the season.

Gavin Johnson
6 Posted 31/01/2017 at 00:12:40

I prefer us to hang onto Jags until the summer and wait if necessary for his long term successor. I don't see us getting Keane until the summer.

If we sign a 'big' name tomorrow I think we'll revisit a deal for Brahimi or Yarmolenko, along with another U23 player deal – Emerson or the lad from Man City being announced.

David Ellis
7 Posted 31/01/2017 at 01:08:57

I am hoping that Galloway or Browning can replace Jags as first up centre back cover next season. We need centre backs comfortable on the ball and all the academy kids seem to have that.

Galloway is left footed and can play left back as well so would suit the left side role in a back 3 very well. Hope he gets some game time at WBA.

Colin Glassar
8 Posted 31/01/2017 at 08:01:36

Jags deserves a lot of respect and shouldn't just be dumped out of the club. Let him go to China in the summer. We get a massive fee and he earns tons of dough.

Daniel Lawrence
9 Posted 31/01/2017 at 08:29:06

So we need competition unless you are a centre-forward, of which we have had only one now for the best part of two seasons.

Anthony Dwyer
10 Posted 31/01/2017 at 08:44:01

Daniel everyone needs competition; unfortunately we simply can't afford a player capable of applying genuine pressure on Rom's starting roll.

Daniel Lawrence
11 Posted 31/01/2017 at 09:05:03

I realise that, but we really do have no decent cover or the ability to switch to two up front. Saying that, I'm still craving Arteta's replacement and that's been over five years!!

Shane Corcoran
12 Posted 31/01/2017 at 09:13:54

Daniel, Koeman says in the above article, "We need competition with defenders and we need competition with front players".

Dan Egerton
14 Posted 31/01/2017 at 12:22:43

Keep him as backup. End of this season makes it ten years. I want to see his testimonial.

Ray Robinson
15 Posted 31/01/2017 at 13:09:59

I still think Jags has a season or two left with us. He's going through a bad spell at the moment but I think reports of his demise are exaggerated. I don't think there's much to choose between him and Williams.

Jim Harrison
16 Posted 31/01/2017 at 14:53:38

Hate to say it, but I really think it has gone for Jags. And I don't think he is suited to being a backup for a year or so. Rio Ferdinand springs to mind. He had it, then he didn't. He went form champion to retired within 2 years, effectively 18 months, having played 25 games over 2 seasons.

It's always hard to let go, but if Everton are to step up to the next level there is no room for sentimentality. A fine pro, a good servant of the club but time has taken its toll. He doesn't want to sit on the bench and I don't blame him. But he isn't getting any younger or better. Williams has been more composed, Holgate and Funes Mori are the future not the past. There are a couple of young lads at the club who can step in between now and the end of the season who could use the experience.

Fair play to Koeman, if there is no option to bring in a ready made replacement then keep him around to act as back up. But if there is an opportunity to strengthen the squad let him go, with best wishes and goodwill, to have a last hurrah somewhere.

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