Phil Jagielka’s future at Everton is uncertain with the long-serving centre-back out of contract and unlikely to be handed a new deal.
Jagielka has fallen down the pecking order under Marco Silva this season and may have to leave the club if he wants regular football in 2019/20. The 36-year-old came off the bench in Friday’s 1-0 win against Burnley, which he admits may be his last game in an Everton shirt.
As per talkSPORT, Jagielka said in a post-match interview: “The answer will probably come in the next ten days. I hope it is not my last game but it could well be. I hope there are some great moments to continue but, if not, I can’t complain. If it is a farewell game at home, so be it, but I want to continue playing football for as long as I can.”
The former England international has made 385 appearances in all competitions since joining Everton from Sheffield United in 2007, scoring and creating 30 goals. Jagielka has made only seven Premier League appearances, racking up just 329 minutes of football after finding himself behind Yerry Mina, Kurt Zouma and Michael Keane in the pecking order.
For Silva to bring on Jagielka for one minute against Burnley suggests it’s a farewell appearance. It’s hard to see Everton offering him an extension when he’s spent the majority of the season as an unused substitute or out of the matchday squad.
The Blues want to turn Zouma’s loan deal permanent, which means Jagielka would be fourth in the pecking order if he was retained. He won’t want another year on the periphery at Goodison Park.