OPINION
Everton defender Kurt Zouma is back in the frame to start against Liverpool on Sunday and he will no doubt be gunning to be back on the pitch again.
However, things are never as simple as that, are they? Most of the time there is someone who has dutifully stood in for you, and this case, it was Phil Jagielka taking Zouma’s place during his suspension.
The 24-year-old has been a rock in the centre of the defence for the Toffees this season, but things could now get a bit tastier now that veteran Jagielka is back in the mix.
He put out an assured display in the 3-0 win over Cardiff on Tuesday, and this has no doubt put pressure on Zouma to perform against the Reds, if he is chosen that is.
After all, we have seen from other clubs that a good run of form can knock others off their perch.
Jagielka had a mature display during midweek, and he certainly showed off the experience that his teammates were desperate for him to show off, and because of this, he is definitely breathing down Zouma’s neck.
In fact, if we were Zouma, we would be sweating buckets right now.
Jagielka has been out of the fold due to his own injury setbacks, but it now looks like he is well and truly back and is willing to fight for his place in the starting XI after making a huge statement of intent.
Zouma showed how reckless he can be after getting sent off against Watford a few weeks ago, and that is an aspect of his game that boss Marco Silva will have to consider carefully.
Either way, the 6ft 3in [Transfermarkt] enforcer will be quaking in his boots after his teammate’s assured display, and if selected to start against Liverpool, he must make the most of the opportunity.