Martinez: It’s about time Jagielka got the credit he deserves
Everton manager Roberto Martinez feels that it is high time that skipper Phil Jagielka gets the credit that he deserves and believes that he is the most consistent centre-back in England at the moment, and one of the major reasons Everton are as low as 13/8 with Paddy Power to end the season in the top 6.
Martinez also firmly believes that the impact that Jagielka has enables anyone that partners him to play their natural game because Jags is so solid in his position.
“I think it’s about time that Phil Jagielka gets the credit that he deserves.
“In my eyes, he is probably the most consistent and best English centre-half that we’ve had in the last 12 months
“It’s not a coincidence that anyone who plays alongside him performs.
“Anyone who is given the opportunity to play in the back four is allowed to express themselves, is allowed to be effective and that’s down to Phil Jagielka.”
Scotland striker Steven Naismith was also in agreement with his manager.
“I think Jags is up there with one of the ones I probably underestimated before I joined Everton,” said Steven Naismith when quizzed on Jagielka’s recent form. “He’s not the biggest for a centre-half but he is phenomenal because of the power in his legs, how he covers the ground and how he reads the game.
“He’s decent with the ball at his feet as well; it’s not like he’s an old fashioned type of centre-half that just gets it and gives it, he’s calm and composed on the ball.
“On the other side, in the changing room, he is a great captain and he’s a lively guy that keeps the changing room going at low times. He’s always involved in the jokes and pranks when confidence is high, he leads by example and he always stands up and says what everybody else is thinking.”
Would you agree that Jagielka is the best centre-back in England at the moment?
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