JAG: KEEP THE TOP TOFFEES
PHIL JAGIELKA has warned that Ronald Koeman’s impressive first season as Everton boss will count for nothing if the Merseysiders cash in on their best players.
Koeman has transformed the Toffees into top-six contenders with a terrific run of form since the turn of the year, but optimism at Goodison Park is tempered by the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.
Lukaku, the Premier League’s 21-goal top-scorer, has rejected a new £140,000-a-week contract, while Barkley is heading towards the last 12 months of his deal.
And Jagielka (below), who has seen it all before during a decade at Everton, said: “It’s an exciting time for Everton, with a new owner and plans for a new stadium.
“But the one thing that hasn’t changed is that we have got to make sure we keep our best players.
“If we can’t keep them, then we must use the money to strengthen the squad. We are moving forward. It’s only small steps at the moment, however, people can see that slowly, but surely, we are gathering momentum.
“We have been close in previous years, but winning cups and qualifying for the Champions League is the holy grail. We have shown signs of progression and that’s important.
“As long as the manager gets the backing and is allowed to carry on with the job he’s doing, then I can only see things getting better.”
The lack of depth in Koeman’s squad has been exposed in recent weeks, with Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Morgan Schneiderlin, Muhamed Besic, Yannick Bolasie and Ramiro Funes Mori all injured and Ashley Williams suspended for today’s clash with Leicester.
The Dutchman has put his faith in youngsters, such as Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Matthew Pennington and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Jagielka said: “There is a lot of money around now. So it’s all about buying the right players, but still giving the young lads a chance.
“This next couple of months will be great for the young lads in and around the squad because they will get minutes and experience.
“We need to crack on and get more points to keep the season going. It hasn’t been an amazing season, but it’s been pretty successful and has given the manager a base to work from.
“We have to be knocking on the door for fourth, fifth and sixth place.
“We did that for a few years, but last season we finished 14th and we’ve got to make people sit up and take note of us again.”