Phil Jagielka Leaves Everton: A Tribute

With the news that Phil Jagielka’s 12 year tenure at Goodison Park has ended, the Street End takes a look at one of Everton’s greatest Premier League servants.

There’s Only One Jagielka

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When the number 6 was held up in the 91st minute against Burnley, the Goodison Park crowd stood as one to applaud the final minutes in an Everton shirt for Phil Jagielka. Their 36 year old Captain was making his last appearance in the royal blue after a 12 year stint at the heart of Everton’s defence. The £4 million signing from Sheffield United was one of David Moyes shrewdest and most important signings.

From a Rocky Start to a Rock at the Back

Jagielka suffered a difficult start to his Everton career. He was a substitute in his first few games and played a variety of positions including defensive midfield. The step up in class from Sheffield United initially seemed too much for him.

He told the Guardian at the time, “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t doubt myself early on. I was trying to move house, my missus had just given birth, so there were other things keeping me occupied. But every footballer wants to play football and I wasn’t, so it wasn’t good at the time.”

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David Moyes had faith in him though and he started to improve when he moved into his preferred position at Centre Half. Within months he was undroppable. Moyes even moved Joleon Lescott into the left back position and paired Jagielka with Joseph Yobo. This coincided with the bones of David Moyes team taking shape.

A Tale of 2 Penalties

After settling into the heart of Everton’s defence, Phil Jagielka found himself in a UEFA Cup run. He played he full 90 minutes in Everton’s victories over Zenit St Petersberg, AZ Alkmaar and the 2 legs against SK Brann. This led to one of the toughest moments of his Everton career.

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Everton lost against Fiorentina in Italy but had bounced back in the second leg at Goodison Park. Everton threw the kitchen sink at the Italians but could not make the breakthrough and the match went to penalties. Yakubu had missed his penalty so the pressure was on the young Mancunian. Sebastian Frei saved his well struck penalty. Everton were out and it was heartbreak for Jagielka.

The following season was Jagielka’s best for Everton. He and Lescott had formed a brilliant partnership together and Everton looked on the verge of something special. Lescott’s strength and positioning were the perfect foil for Jagielka’s pace and reading of the game. They were the basis of the Everton that made it to the semi final of the FA Cup for the first time in 14 years. This achievement was more remarkable considering they had lost the influential Arteta and Yakubu to injury earlier in the season. A tense nil nil draw played out at Wembley and the match went to Penalties. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

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Phil Jagielka stood up to take Everton’s 5th penalty. This took immense bravery and character and noone would have batted an eye if he had not taken a penalty. Instead, he placed the ball on the spot and did not hesitate. The ball arrowed into the bottom right hand corner past Ben Foster and Everton were in the final. It was poetic justice for Jagielka but unfortunately he suffered more heartbreak that season. He suffered an ACL injury against Manchester City which ruled him out of the final. That team was very close to ending Everton’s long trophy drought. With a fit Yakubu, Arteta and Jagielka, the cup may have found it’s way to Goodison Park.

A Steadying Influence

When he returned from his injury, Phil Jagielka had to form a new partnership at the back. Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga replaced the departed Joleon Lescott. The clubs financial problems had prevented them from building on their success as the top 4 eluded them. Jagielka was a steadying influence at the back in a side that struggled to recover its previous consistency. Arsenal tried to sign him in 2011 after he had impressed Arsene Wenger but David Moyes refused to sell. Jagielka didn’t kick up a fuss and beg for a move like Lescott did in 2009. Subsequently, he signed a new deal in 2013.

Captain Fantastic

David Moyes last act as Everton manager was to recommend that Phil Jagielka would replace Phil Neville as the Everton captain. Roberto Martinez benefited from that decision as Everton made a run at the Champions league spots. Unfortunately, Jagielka suffered from thigh problems in the second half of that season and Everton missed his calm leadership at the back.

The following season was much better personally for Everton’s captain. He played 48 games in total and earned Everton’s player of the year and players player of the year award. This bounce back performance was especially impressive when you consider that he had been scapegoated for England’s early exit from the World Cup that year. This determination and strength of character helped Everton through a difficult and disappointing second season of Roberto Martinez reign. It was also the season of ‘the goal.’

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Jagielka: A True Captain

Phil Jagielka’s final years at Everton saw him remain as one of the best centre backs at the club. It is testament to the man that even last season at age 35 he was the best central defender at the club. Unfortunately age has caught up with him and the form of Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma have kept him out of the team for most of the season.

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Like all good Captains, he had one last stellar performance in him. Michael Keane’s late illness meant that Jagielka started the game on less than an hours notice. Most players would struggle in these circumstance but Jagielka scored the winning goal and marshalled the defence expertly in Everton’s 1 nil win over the Gunners.

A Man For All Seasons

In recent times, players like Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill have become legends amongst the younger elements of Everton’s support. They were players who evidently loved the club and scored crucial goals. Their passion was clear to see. Phil Jagielka deserves to be considered alongside these players as a great servant of Everton football club. Whilst he was not overly emotional on the pitch, he played with a calmness that influenced everyone around him. The back four always felt steadier when Jagielka played.

As a Captain, Jagielka was a great representative of the club both on and off the pitch. In his 385 appearances, he was only red carded twice, and the second one was a ludicrous decision made by a poor referee. Off the pitch, Jagielka could always be counted upon to support Everton’s many numerous community initiatives. He is unfortunate to have not played for Everton in a more successful era. Phil Jagelka is the only player that has captained England whilst still being an Everton player. As a person and a player, Phil Jagielka epitomised Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. I hope he returns to Goodison one day to get the Testimonial match that he truly deserves. Thanks for the memories Jags.

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