Jagielka adds another year to his Everton contract

Now we just need to sort out the Willams / Funes Mori side of central defence.

We will need a few older heads to give guidance to the youth Koeman is investing in.

Had a dodgy start to last season. Deservedly dropped. Once restored to the side, he was as good as anyone at the heart of the defence.

Given the injury to Funes Mori, it's a complete no-brainer to retain him, whilst continuing to search for his long-term replacement.

It's so frustrating when younger players are sent out on loan. If we are being serious (at last) as a club then this sentimentality has to end.

If we really want to push the top 4, how many of the teams that finished above us last season would want Baines, Jagielka and Barry (all 3) for the 2017-18 season?

Lev (#1) not a rant as such.

It is the bloody continuity we are trying to end in my eyes.

Lovely guy, agreed... but far too nice for a modern football Captain (sadly).

That said, not sure I'd fancy ever seeing an 11 with Stekelenburg, Martina, Jags, Williams, Baines, Barry, Rooney and Mirallas in it. (I know Mirallas isn't old, but he might as well be.)

Giving Jagielka another years contract is once again the easy cheaper softy Kenwright option. We all know his legs have gone and he should not be in Everton's defence... that's Jagielka, not Kenwright, although Bill's legs went years ago.

I take on board what you said about Man Utd. But of course we now have Rooney who looked knackered after 30 mins last week.

Jags has been a trusty servant and despite a few poor games, when he got back into the team towards the end of the season he proved what a good competitor he is.

Good to have him for another season, and I really hope that he can take one meaningful memory with him, of us winning something.

You answered your own question. Your right: they don't need the money, at this level. It's less about money and more about thank you's. And respect. And gratitude.

And having players like Jags and Barry in the team, especially with all the new faces, makes good sense.

Give me defenders who block and get stuck in every time. He's way, way better than Williams and a man I'm chuffed to have seen wear an Everton shirt. Top bloke, top player.

I think Jagielka is fortunate to get another year but he'll be a useful squad man.

It's commonly held that with Funes Mori's injury and Williams's failings that we needed to strengthen at left- /centre-back. Jagielka didn't even come into most people's thinking. Will we still continue to seek a left- /centre-back or is this it?

Loaning out Galloway, Pennington, Browning yet retaining Jagielka is not the action of a progressive club with a long-term plan nor does it bode well for the younger players (e.g. Holgate) if that wasn't abundantly clear already, Martina FFS.

Furthermore, we need a more inspirational, influential captain on the pitch. That Martinez hailed him as his "phenomenal captain" says it all.

He's no longer quick enough. Football is a cruel game but his day has gone but now he's with us, he'll get my support. He'll need it

It's all hands on deck if we are to do well in that competition and make a bold show in the Premier League.

That's not to mention the FA Cup etc.

Is he really going to meaningfully contribute in the 2018-19 season? Was there any reason this needed to be given now? Why not wait till next summer and see where we are?

We have quite a few younger centre-backss in the fold and a year from now they'll have another year and more games experience. We could still have decided to give him another deal in 6-12 months time.

Am all for keeping players on when older for experience/continuity but I do question why we continually give these players extensions, well before their current deals are at an end.

Same happened with Barry, Osman, Hibbert, Neville, Howard etc, and that's just in the last few years. Don't see why we couldn't wait until near their contract ends to offer them extensions.

Hibbert made 20 appearances in the last 4 years he was at the club and in that time was given not one but two contract extensions??

He will provide the depth at the back and the experience along with Williams to assist Keane.

Just heard that someone else who got Everton, a great US Blue (but not a TWebber) Hans Duchardt has died. Always good for a Facebook chat about the Blues and possessor of some canny links. Let it be gentle, Hans.

I see it this way:

The contract is a public declaration that he still has a role in the team, and isn't going anywhere. It also nails down he is still club captain.

Jags says something interesting: 'It is always nice to have the potential of another year at the club'.

I would not be surprised if he leaves 12 months down the line regardless of any deal. What this contract is saying is that we trust him, and are not interested in letting him go just yet. It also stops Jags looking for a move. With Funes Mori's injury we could do with closing down the talk of him going this season. The contract does that.

No downsides to this.

1. The youth needs more game time and mistakes learning opportunity (and we still have Holgate)

2. We need happy squad player that is happy nonetheless being backup (of course also knowing he has better chance of finally winning something than before staying put)

3. We need experience to organise the Defence and see games out as need. And he seems to discover how to score goals (many for a defender ffs) in the box shown in last second half season

How can all this be sentiment???

It's a fantastic extension and really very happy to see him choose to stick with us instead of moving off.

Personally, I'm glad he's going to remain an important part of our squad. After all, we're not Chelsea or Man City when they suddenly got a few bob, essentially trying to replace the whole first team setup in one go, are we?

As it stands, looks like Keane is going to be the man, with Jags or Williams holding the fort whilst the youngsters come through and get bedded in. I'm actually very excited about the new kid, Lewis Gibson, from Newcastle... talented, rated, up for it, confident, really wants to be here, and looks a potential behemoth!! Jags is clearly going to have an unquestionably important job of helping bring on fellas like this! COYTs!!!!!!!

Williams can knock £2 million off the Siggy Stardust deal. The most disappointing 'properly' scouted 'big buy' for a while.

He is our club captain and I think he'll get game time next to Keane as Williams is also no spring chicken. I'm more than happy with this one.

Also, balance of older professional heads mixed with many new signings, foreign players and youth needing to bed in.

Keane only needs an injury and we are into the youth players – sensible move for the tough season ahead.

Not as quick, but his bravery and nous makes up for that.

He is still needed. A great example to the youngsters.

Had he gone into this season with only 10 months left on this contract he might have started looking elsewhere in January, so it's a good move by the club.

Not an issue in my eyes

Why jump in with an offer now, before he's even kicked a competitive ball? I bet he took about 5 seconds before signing the contract. A good defender at his best but marked decline last 12 months. Very unlikely to turn that around at his age.