Jagielka return, the perfect spoil to make sure Everton’s season doesn’t run dry

It’s April 2009 and you would find yourselves hard pushed at best to find a more reliable or capable central defender in England’s top league then Phil Jagielka. The Sale born player approaching the top of his game had already gained international recognition thanks to his no-nonsense and unflappable displays at the heart of an Everton defence, in a Toffees outfit which was pushing for top five contention in the league and awaiting the mouth watering prospect of a clash with Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

A dispatched winning penalty kick against Manchester United in the FA Cup Semi-Final in mid April bought tears to Evertonian eyes and a just reward for Jagielka after his outstanding performances that season. Then disaster struck. One buckle of his right knee against Manchester City at Goodison Park just a few weeks before the richly anticipated final saw Jagielka sustain anterior cruciate ligament damage after an awkward fall, immediately ending his season, whilst stunting the growth on a promising career for the 26 year old.



The ecstasy of scoring the winning penalty shoot out spot kick soon turned sour for Jagielka (above) who missed the preceding FA Cup Final through a knee ligament injury.


Nine months of rehabilitation, setbacks, personal crusades and questions of which the man in question asked himself if he would ever be able to play again have finally been dispelled to the scrap books, as Everton’s number six is back and ready for a late flurry of form to rekindle some blues pride from an otherwise indifferent campaign.

The defenders substitute comeback appearance away to Sporting Lisbon in late February sparked a rapturous applause from Everton’s travelling contingent in a abysmal Toffees defeat. Jagielka, a popular figure in the Everton dressing room and amongst the fans arrival back into the fray has sent a new surging buzz around Finch Farm. A roller coaster season has seen Everton eliminated from three cup competitions and struggle with an endless list of injuries but some impressive recent league results could see them make a late push towards the Europa League places.

And I believe this late run, if it prevails needs to coincide with the form and fitness of Jagielka. Despite playing less then 90 minutes in the two games he has participated in since his return there have already been some clear indicators that he is quickly proficient of revisiting his old self, marshalling an Everton backline in the process, which has been less then concrete this term. If he can sturdy a shaky defence, and if his teammates in front of him can act as an attacking driving force willing to produce a final flurry of displays to cement a European challenge then the passports can once again be dusted down at Goodison. There’s a handful of other challengers that are better placed currently, but under the guidance of manager David Moyes, Everton have always been praised for their battling qualities, which now come under close scrutiny.

The spirit and determination Jagielka has showed to overcome a pretentious and career threatening injury emphasizes his mental toughness and inner attributes. He has eleven games to again prove his worth to Everton, and perhaps, if not a bit far fetched a potential England call in the offing? Few would bet against it and if the ingenious Italian Fabio Capello has a spare spot on the plane en-route to South Africa, he would find it hard to turn down one of the most combative defenders around. This space certainly needs to be watched.