Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are expected to leave Everton this summer. The ageing pair are out of contract and have been on the periphery in 2018/19. Baines and Jagielka’s existing deals both expire on June 30, but EFL Regulation 67 states that Everton have to notify the pair in writing by May 18 whether or not they’ll receive a new deal.
Baines has made just eight appearances in all competitions this season, racking up less than 600 minutes of playing time. The 34-year-old left-back has featured only twice in the Premier League since September 2018 and only twice in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Since joining Everton from Wigan in 2007, he’s made a total of 411 appearances, scoring and creating 115 goals.
The former England international finds himself behind Lucas Digne in the pecking order now, however, and may not be handed a contract extension in the coming weeks. As for Jagielka, the long-serving centre-back has made 384 appearances in all competitions, but he’s currently out-of-favour under Marco Silva.
Yerry Mina, Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane are ahead of him in the pecking order, with Jagielka racking up only six league appearances this season, so it’s hard to see him having a future at Goodison Park past this summer. Everton should make a public announcement in the next two weeks. Non-playing roles for the duo could be the next step.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Goalkeeper could join Everton first-team next season