Jagielka: Garbutt at the right club

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Phil Jagielka believes Luke Garbutt has made the right decision in deciding to stay at Everton.

Rumours had circulated ever since Garbutt’s exclusion from the starting eleven, for the injured Leighton Baines at the back end of last season, that the 22 year old was looking to leave the Toffees in search of regular first team football, but the left back put an end of the speculation by signing a new five year deal with the Blues last week.

“He’s always put the effort in in training and things like that. He’s a great lad and he has so much potential” – Jagielka on Garbutt

And having witnessed first hand Garbutt’s potential, club captain Jagielka is of the opinion that the England Under-21 international can achieve great things on Merseyside in the years to come.

“I’m delighted he’s signed a deal,” the Blues skipper said. “It’s been a little bit messy for him, not particularly his fault and it’s just sometimes the way contract negotiations go.

“I know he loves being here. With the way it got drawn out, I’m sure there were other offers and promises from other teams to give him first-team football.

“I’ve seen a lot of people leave Everton, thinking they’re potentially going on to bigger and better things, and come unstuck so it’s nice that Luke has stayed with us and sees his future here.

“He’s always put the effort in in training and things like that. He’s a great lad and he has so much potential.

“The only down side for Luke is, over the last couple of years, not only has he had Leighton Baines to challenge but he’s had Bryan Oviedo to compete with against as well, so it’s been difficult for him to get an extended amount of game time, but I think he is definitely progressing as a left-back. When he has come in, particularly in the European games, he has done a fantastic job.

“Obviously, with losing Bainesy and Bryan towards the end of last season, Luke and Brendan Galloway were competing for that position at left-back and I’m sure there will be more time for the manager to give them in future.

“I’m not sure if there is a possibility for Luke to go out on loan and getting himself a longer period of games, but I do see his future at Everton.”