Everton boss Ronald Koeman has lifted the lid on his plans for captain Phil Jagielka and Gerard Deulofeu and TFF feels that he might be playing a risky game.
With the arrival of the exciting Ademola Lookman, Deulofeu has seemingly fallen further down the pecking order and the Everton boss had this to say about his future.
‘I spoke to Gerry and it’s a difficult situation for the player. If he finds a solution to go and to play and to get game-time then it’s not a problem.
‘But the final decision is by the board of the club and I did not have any call from the chairman that they agree something for Deulofeu.
As for Jagielka, Everton have been starting with Ramiro Funes Mori and Ashley Williams of late and Koeman admits that this has caused frustration. Asked if the player would leave he said:
‘I don’t know, it’s all about if there is interest for Jag. Of course the last few weeks he did not start. He is important, he is the captain of the team.
‘He is not happy because he is not starting and that’s a good signal. What you need to do as a player is fight and make it difficult for the manager.’
As consistent as they come, Jagielka has played 40 times for England and scored three goals since his debut in 2008.
And he is currently in his tenth season at Everton and has played 337 games for the club, scoring 15 goals in the process. He’s averaged close to 40 games a season an been a brilliant captain for the club.
As for Deulofeu, he has gone off the boil after such a promising loan spell at Goodison when he first arrived at Everton.
TFF believes that Koeman could be playing a risky game to let both leave in the winter window. While Deulofeu lacks consistency he is still capable of wonderful moments and we think that he could be a useful squad member until the summer.
As for Jagielka his value to the dressing room must be immense and he could stay fresh and be used at crucial moments in the second half of the campaign.
Everton fans: should the club hold on to these two until the summer?