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Opinion: Did this Everton player make a mistake over the summer?

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Leighton Baines opted to stay at Everton for another season, signing a one-year contract in June, but did the experienced defender make a mistake? Baines has yet to make a single appearance under Marco Silva this season and barely makes the matchday squad.

The 34-year-old has been an unused substitute on three occasions and has been omitted from the team 12 times. Baines knew he was behind Lucas Digne in the pecking order, but did he really want to spend the last year of his career on the periphery?

Phil Jagielka was in a similar position to Baines last summer, but he opted to rejoin former club Sheffield United. The 36-year-old has gone on to make five appearances in all competitions and has been in the matchday squad for 86% of their games.

Should Leighton Baines have left Everton last summer to get first-team football?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Baines could have joined a club willing to give him more opportunities this season, but he looks resigned to his fate at Goodison Park. With Djibril Sibide and Seamus Coleman able to play as a makeshift left-back, Baines has even more competition for playing time.

Jagielka’s switch to United looks a smart move as a result.

Read Crippy Cooke’s previous article

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.