Should Everton give Michael Keane a new contract?
Michael Keane is approaching a decade at Everton.Signed from Burnley for an initial £25million back in 2017, Keane was seen as a long-term leader of Everton’s defence, potentially a future captain....
Should Everton give Michael Keane a new contract? Michael Keane is approaching a decade at Everton. Signed from Burnley for an initial £25million back in 2017, Keane was seen as a long-term leader of Everton’s defence, potentially a future captain.
It’s fair to say those lofty expectations have probably never been met. Yet for his faults, Keane is still here — a nine-year Toffees veteran — with over 250 appearances under his belt for Everton across all competitions. Keane has also chipped in with 19 goals, and some of them have been vital.
Often jokingly referred to as Everton’s best finisher, Keane really has scored some stunners — and his haul includes the first strike in the Toffees’ famous comeback win over Crystal Palace in 2022 and a long-range screamer against Tottenham in 2023, both of which were vital in keeping Everton in the Premier League. But Keane’s deal is up in the summer. So, the question is, should Everton offer him a new one, or is it time to finally move on?
THE CASE TO KEEP KEANE This season, Keane has played more than anybody expected. Having signed a one-year deal following the expiration of his previous one, Keane was seen as the fourth-choice centre-back, behind Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Jake O’Brien in the pecking order. Yet the best laid plans do not always come to fruition, and Branthwaite’s long-term injury, combined with Everton’s failure to sign a right-back to meet David Moyes’ (perhaps too high?