The Liverpool Echo’s Gav Buckland has recently discussed Mason Holgate’s return from injury for Everton in their recent defeat against Manchester United.
During the 2019/20 season, Holgate was a fairly prominent feature for Carlo Ancelotti as he made 27 appearances in the Premier League (per Transfermarkt).
However, during pre-season, the defender picked up a toe injury in a game against Preston North End which has kept him sidelined (per Liverpool Echo).
In the 3-1 defeat against the Red Devils, the 24-year-old Englishman made his first appearance of the season for the Toffees.
During a recent episode of the Liverpool Echo’s Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast, Buckland aired his thoughts on Holgate’s return to action following his injury.
He said: “[There was] a lot of changes on Saturday, was it six changes? That’s a huge number of changes.
“First game for Holgate; whether it was the right game for Holgate to come in [for] his first game of the season is perhaps debatable.
“He looked rusty. I still think he’s very much a work in progress, Mason, as well. I’m not sure he’s the finished article.”
TIF Thoughts on what Gav Buckland said about Mason Holgate…
As can be seen in what the reporter had to say, he seems to believe that the game against United may not have been the right one to reintroduce the defender to match action.
The journalist also aired his belief that the £16.2m-rated man is not the finished article and that he is a “work in progress”.
Do you agree that Mason Holgate is not the finished article yet?
Yes, he needs to improve
No, he's a solid player
During the clash with the Red Devils, Holgate picked up a 6.74/10 match rating, making him their fourth-best performer on the day (per WhoScored).
So, judging from his rating in the match, perhaps the journalist is being slightly harsh in his criticism of the defender.