A number of Everton fans have been left delighted on Twitter after seeing Maarten Stekelenburg put pen to paper on a new contract at Goodison Park.
The Toffees confirmed on Twitter and their official website that the Dutch shot stopper, who has been with the club since joining back in 2016, has signed a new contract which ties him to the Merseyside outfit until 2020.
? | Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has agreed a new deal with #EFC to the end of June 2020.
More ?? https://t.co/MWmz6ZM6iP pic.twitter.com/AEQuleEyAW
— Everton (@Everton) July 30, 2018
He has made 24 appearances for the Toffees and spent last season acting as back up to Jordan Pickford, who signed from Sunderland 12 months ago.
Some of the Everton faithful were happy to see him agree terms and recognised his contribution as a number two goalkeeper, with many urging their fellow fans to stop criticising the decision to extend his stay.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters messages on Twitter:
He's a decent back up . Good job .
— Coca-Cola Cowboy ?? (@nil23sadonions) July 30, 2018
He's probably on pennies compared to other keepers. He will probably get the odd game and that's about it. No point having some mad back up on loads of money.
— Marc (@Rochey1878) July 30, 2018
We need more than 1 keeper? We could do a lot worse. Nash, Wessels, Mucha.
— Blake (@BlakeEM_) July 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Tweety_McTweety/status/1023934469928116225
https://twitter.com/acarter1878/status/1023934439460618240
https://twitter.com/Rdjnewton85/status/1023944784518541314
Great??
— Chris Jones (@chris83jones) July 30, 2018
Ideal backup why are people complaining? https://t.co/hrCn46C5Zz
— Will (@WAJG_96) July 30, 2018
Opinion
It is definitely not the signing that Everton fans wanted or were expecting, but it is a decent bit of business nonetheless – and some of the fans appreciate that. The club cannot go splashing money around every day and with Pickford as the firm number one choice, keeping Stekelenburg makes perfect sense. Otherwise, the club would have had to go seeking out a goalkeeper who would be willing to play second fiddle – and there are not many of those around. Those criticising the move need to think logically about their side and keep a little faith in what is going on behind the scenes.