Carlo Ancelotti told Liverpool Echo that he’s hopeful of Leighton Baines signing a contract extension. The 35-year-old’s deal is up at the end of the month and there’s uncertainty over his future as he’s been playing second fiddle at left-back.
Everton are desperate to keep Baines and the England international has been content with a backup role this season, but it remains to be seen if he’ll put pen to paper on an extension. Ancelotti admitted the Blues are waiting to see if Baines has accepted their offer.
He said: “I hope not, I think the situation of Leighton is clear. Everyone of us, the club, myself, the team-mates want Leighton to stay for another season and we are waiting for his answer and I hope that it will be yes. He loves Everton, we love him and so I hope so, I hope that he can stay.”
Baines joined Everton from Wigan Athletic for £6.75m in 2007 and has gone on to make 418 appearances in all competitions, scoring 39 goals and making 67 assists.
Since Digne was signed from Barcelona in 2018, Baines has been on the periphery, making only 15 appearances across the board in the last two seasons, but he’s been an able deputy to call upon.
The 35-year-old has impressed in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United (December 15, 2019) and in their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal (February 23, 2020), so he’s well worth keeping.
Everton will need a long-term replacement for Baines, but he’s shown from his handful of appearances this season that he’s still life in the old legs.