Ashley Williams could be on his way out of Everton this summer, with the 34-year-old out of contract in the coming weeks. Williams has spent the last nine months on loan at Stoke City and doesn’t appear to have a future at Goodison Park after falling out of favour under Marco Silva.
Phil Jagielka, Kurt Zouma, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina were ahead of the Welsh international in 2018/19, so Williams might have to leave Everton to get regular football. He’s made 73 appearances in all competitions since joining the Toffees from Swansea City in 2016, scoring and creating six goals.
Williams made 37 appearances while on loan at Stoke, leading the Potters to 16th in the Championship table with 55 points from 46 games. Only Sheffield United (41), Middlesbrough (41) and Leeds United (50) have conceded fewer goals than Stoke (52) this season, while only Boro (19) and Sheff Utd (21) have kept more clean sheets than City (18).
Despite being part of a resilient defence at the Britannia Stadium and the likelihood of Everton going into next season without Jagielka and Zouma, Williams may not return to the first-team in 2019/20. He’s no spring chicken, clearly isn’t Premier League level anymore and will be a free agent in July.
Everton would be better off signing a long-term replacement rather than extending his deal.