The Liverpool Echo’s head of sport David Prentice has been discussing Everton’s decision to release Phil Jagielka last summer.
Having spent 12 years with the Toffees after arriving from Sheffield United in 2007, the Merseyside outfit released the centre-back on a free transfer last summer (per Transfermarkt) before he returned to Bramall Lane.
The 37-year-old made 385 appearances for Everton, in which he had bagged 19 goals and 11 assists (per Transfermarkt).
With the Toffees having just come up against Jagielka’s current side in a match which the defender did not make it off the bench (per Sky Sports), Prentice discussed him in the latest episode of Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast.
He said: “I think he [Jagielka] described it as like the easy option for Everton [to release him]. We were sorry to see Jags go, [he was] very committed, very loyal, excellent for Everton Football Club.
“Equally, if Phil Jagielka had been around this season given the injury problems that Everton centre-halves have had, certainly in the second half of the season, would we have seen a young lad like Jarrad Branthwaite making a couple of appearances and getting the exposure he’s had?
“Would we have seen Mason Holgate playing as much football as we have? So, sometimes you stumble across solutions to answers fortuitously.
“Maybe Everton were quite brave in letting him go when they did. We feared at the start of the season that they’d be exposed in that position, but maybe it’s worked out for the long-term good in the end.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, he seems to believe that while it may have been a difficult decision to let Jagielka go, it could have been for the best in the long run.
Were Everton right to release Phil Jagielka last summer?
No, should've stayed
Yes, he wasn't good enough
With the centre-back having picked up an uninspiring 6.54/10 average rating over just six league outings for the Blades this season (per WhoScored), that would also suggest the Toffees were justified in their decision.
That is due to the fact that Branthwaite, Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina have all scored higher average ratings than that this season (per WhoScored).