Loads of Everton fans have been reacting on social media with sheer joy after Carlo Ancelotti announced that he wants Leighton Baines to sign a new contract at Goodison Park.
Baines is currently set to become a free agent in the summer having only signed a one-year extension last June, which kept the Kirby-born ace on Merseyside for a 13th season on a £65,000-per-week deal.
The decision to extend the 35-year-old’s Toffees career for a further year initially only returned four appearances as an unused substitute during our first 15 games of the league campaign, but he has since been called on to start three fixtures with Lucas Digne out injured.
Ancelotti had no qualms with naming the 30-cap former England international as his starting left-back against Arsenal and Manchester United in our two most recent Premier League meetings, and now hopes he will be able to call on him next season as well.
“Our idea, the idea of the club, is: ‘Don’t stop playing, stay with us for the next year’,” Ancelotti told the club’s official website. “We would like to keep him and are going to talk with him.
“It would be good for us if he can stay. Physically, he has no problem.
“It [Baines remaining beyond this season] depends on what he is thinking and whether he wants to continue. I think he wants to continue but it is his decision.”
Should the club offer Baines a new contract?
Yes
No
Baines is currently averaging 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes over his five Premier League appearances for the season, per WhoScored, while recording 2.2 successful tackles from 2.7 attempts, 1.4 interceptions, 2.7 clearances, 2.4 blocks, and 2.4 accurate crosses.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans lauded Ancelotti for targeting a new deal for Baines to avoid the left-back leaving as a free agent this June…
yes please! one of the best LB i’ve ever seen! https://t.co/neCWT3aqvu
— Spice Runner+ (@BazTastic77) March 5, 2020
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT YESSSSSSSS
— ZestyZouma (@ZestyZouma) March 5, 2020
He’s the best player to play for Everton in my lifetime, would happily keep him until he’s 70. https://t.co/Ng7lCUOsBI
— jack 🐋 (@bluec0met) March 5, 2020
Yessssssss another season of LB3
— ŞΔM🐦 (@SamG_9) March 5, 2020
A no brainer need his quality and experience at the club to help the younger players😊 https://t.co/HUksVtO5PW
— Mr Blue Sky (@bobbybefc) March 5, 2020
Positive move. Wish we did the same for Jagielka last season
— Hobbyg (@Hobbyg5) March 5, 2020
Give him a lifetime contract https://t.co/MrEtmbHbsy
— Fifth Beatle (@DPCarv) March 5, 2020
Yes Carlo!
— Trish1878 (@Azzurri1878) March 5, 2020
Would be happy with this 😁😉 https://t.co/mMo6ZYHNyW
— Andrew Vale (@AndyVale27) March 5, 2020
Yes !!
— Anne Blinkhorn (@BlinkyblueA) March 5, 2020
I could cry 🥺 I’m so happy to hear this! LOVE Baines!! 💙💙💙💙 https://t.co/WsPoLx70h3
— Clare Gavan (@claregavo87) March 5, 2020
In other Everton news, the club have been linked with a young forward recording 2.0 accurate crosses per league game.