Greg O’Keeffe has ripped into Michael Keane after his latest poor display, claiming that it may have been his last game in an Everton shirt.
Last night’s Carabao Cup horror show was just the second game Keane had started for Everton all season, and after putting in a 4/10 display, it’s no surprise O’Keeffe thinks it will be his last for the Toffees.
Everton shipped four goals to a Bournemouth side that also made a number of changes to their previous lineup in the Premier League, and with both James Tarkowski and Conor Coady rested, Keane will have done himself no favours for future chances under Frank Lampard following his display on the south coast.
O’Keeffe made the bold claim on the All Together Now podcast that Keane was so poor last night that Lampard won’t give him another minute as an Everton player.
He said: “I feel like Michael Keane’s played his last game for the club.
Do Everton need to sell Keane?
Yes!
No!
“I don’t think we’ll see him in a Blues shirt again.”
TIF Thoughts on Michael Keane…
It’s likely no surprise that O’Keeffe feels this way about Keane, as he’s got a long-term deal and will be bleeding the club by sitting on the bench. Meanwhile, there are the likes of Tarkowski, Coady and even Mason Holgate ahead of him in the pecking order, especially given the latter certainly has age on his side compared to Keane.
The former Burnley defender cost Everton £30m back in 2017 and has gone on to rack up 189 appearances for the Toffees, but he’s certainly had his nose pushed out under Lampard, particularly this season.
Given that Keane will be 30 when next season kicks off, it will be difficult to envisage him landing a big contract as a starting Premier League centre-back, especially if clubs were watching him last night.
Therefore, perhaps a backup role or playing for a top-level Championship side could be his next and best move, which would be a significant downgrade for the former England international.