Everton: Ten best post war players part 5
My final choice is another defender, a player who gave tremendous service to Everton over more than a decade; Phil Jagielka.
Jags was on the Blues books as a youngster but left Goodison Park and went to Sheffield United where he built a fine reputation as a solid defender or midfielder, before Moyes signed him in the summer of 2007.
This time Jagielka stayed at Everton for over ten years and gave sterling service as one of the most reliable and consistent defenders in the Premier League.
He possessed good pace and was a rock solid all-round centre-half, strong in the air and while not extravagant on the ball, was comfortable in possession.
Jagielka’s tenure at Everton coincided with the Toffees enjoying a great run in the Premier League, regularly competing for the top four places and being the most consistent challenger to the much-lauded ‘elite clubs’ at the top end of the table. Although they couldn’t ultimately replicate that fourth place finish of 2004-05.
During this time, Jagielka had a number of different partners alongside him. He played particularly well with Sylvain Distain and Joleon Lescott, two quick, powerful left-footed centre-backs.
Jagielka was not only a very good and consistent defender but he also chipped in with plenty of goals each season as well.
Probably the highlight for the Blues during this time was reaching the FA Cup final in 2009. On the way, Everton had to beat a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool in an epic fourth round tie and Manchester United on penalties in the semi-final.
However, in a big blow to the Blues hopes of claiming a first trophy since 1995, Jags himself was injured just days before the game and so he missed the final.
His absence almost certainly made a difference to the outcome of the match, as he was without doubt one of the top centre-backs in the game. And he also had a very strong partnership with Lescott at this time.
Although the experienced Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo stepped in and didn’t do anything wrong that I remember, it undoubtedly unsettled the Toffees having Jags missing that day as well as a number of other key players like Arteta.
Everton did score a record-breaking goal after just 25 seconds in the final. I was at Wembley that day and got into the ground late so I hadn’t even sat down when Louis Saha netted! But Chelsea recovered from that blow, went on to win and the Toffees chance of silverware was gone.
Despite the disappointment of missing the final, Jagielka was as reliable as ever when he returned to the team to regain his place as the lynchpin in the heart of the defence.
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In 2013 Moyes left the club to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. And even though other players and managers came and went, as the club tried in vain to find stability and success again, Jagiellka stayed and continued to produce consistent performances week in, week out for the Blues.
He won 40 England caps in his time at Everton and finally left Goodison Park last summer, returning to Sheffield United where he has played a role helping the Yorkshire club enjoy a fine first season back in the Premier League this term.
Well there are my choices: Brian Labone, Alan Ball, Graeme Sharp, Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Peter Reid, Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka. No doubt some of you might not agree with either the selections or criteria I’ve used. Anyway let me know what you think?