Everton: Signing Michael Keane builds expectations for the future
By Paul Taylor
The decision to spend big on Michael Keane provides a telling insight into Ronald Koeman’s ambitions for Everton, both short and long-term.
The summer transfer window has officially opened and you can expect the speculation to be rampant, especially with no major tournament to provide any distraction. For Everton specifically, fans will be more interested in finding out which of the rumours relating to their team actually have any real chance of coming to fruition.
In that respect, at least one player they’ve been linked to looks set to be officially confirmed as an Everton player any time soon. As reported by the Liverpool Echo‘s Greg O’Keeffe, Michael Keane is on the verge of completing a £25 million move to Goodison Park.
The Toffees are determined to build on a successful first season under Ronald Koeman. And if the signing of Keane is any indication, they’re putting themselves in a good position to achieve this.
Fans from the red side of Manchester may well refer to the defender as a United reject (even though the team were apparently interested in re-signing him). However, this doesn’t chance the progress he has made, since his solitary first team appearance in a Devils’ shirt.
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Keane played 52 combined games on loan for Leicester City, Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley, between 2012 and 2014. Then, the Clarets decided to sign him to a three-and-a-half year deal in January 2015.
The Stockport native finally got his opportunity to become a regular first team starter during the 2015-16 season. He made 44 appearances and added five goals, as he helped the team return to the Premier League, as champions.
However, it was during last season when Keane really started to get himself noticed, and he was called up to the full England squad for the first time. He went on to earn his first cap in March of this year.
By the end of the 2016-17 season, the 24-year old had earned a second cap for England, while helping Burnley avoid relegation. In addition, he was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Of course, some Everton fans may still not be convinced by what Keane brings to the team. So what will the team theoretically be getting for their £25 million?
To give some idea, consider the following stats O’Keeffe obtained from Oulala.com. They rank Keane in various categories, as one of the 109 centre-backs who appeared in the Premier League last season:
- 152 aerial duels won, for an average of 4.3 per game (1st)
- 44 blocked shots (2nd)
- 260 clearances (4th)
- 63 interceptions (11th)
- 127 accurate long balls (12th)
A lot of people will say it’s no surprise to see a defender from a 16th-placed team rank so high. However, consider a couple of points.
First, despite finishing so low down the table, the 55 goals they conceded actually ranked as 12th-best in the Premier League. Second, as O’Keeffe points out, centre-backs from the seven best teams also ranked regularly in the top 10 for the categories noted above.
Regardless, it will be intriguing to see what Keane brings to an Everton team which had the joint-sixth best defence last season. The Toffees are hopeful of securing his signature before the players report to preseason training on Monday.
Next: Was Koeman worth the money Everton spent on him?
What is your take on the impending arrival of Keane? Are you excited, concerned Everton are paying too much, or just taking a wait-and-see approach? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.