Everton’s disastrous Premier League run dropped them to 18th in the standings and jeopardised manager Marco Silva’s future who was supposed to turn things around after a promising 2018-19 season. Four successive league defeats have exposed certain vulnerabilities, and the dismal form is continuing for a few in the ongoing international outings.
Michael Keane was one of the underperformers in England’s shocking 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic on Friday night, and the Everton centre-back received stern criticism from ex-Leeds United forward Noel Whelan.
“I’ve watched Keane’s positioning and it’s been abysmal, Everton can’t defend set-pieces and he’s meant to be one of their best in the air. The zonal marking system has been a disaster but Keane has to deal with it better. If he doesn’t see the problem, there is something wrong. I have no idea how he’s still in the England side.”
The 44-year-old told the above to Football Insider (as quoted by the Express). These are pretty strong words, but the former England youth international has pointed out a few things that deserve attention.
What’s Been Wrong With Keane In Everton Colours?
Keane, 26, completed a high-profile £30m transfer from Burnley back in the summer of 2017. Despite initial struggles, the Englishman retained a starting role in the heart of the backline. Silva opted not to add enough depth in deep defence behind Keane, Yerry Mina and rookie Mason Holgate. Therefore, the Three Lions star is a guaranteed starter even though the Toffees have conceded 13 goals in 8 league fixtures.
Keane has a strong build- decent enough to dominate physically as well as aerially. But his positioning, as highlighted by Whelan, has been below par. Also, the player has failed to step up in the absence of Phil Jagielka to lead and dictate the game from behind. Mina has been a more significant influence in Everton’s defence so far, and the former Clarets ace must go back to his basics to avoid further misery.
How To Resolve England’s Defensive Vulnerability
Both Harry Maguire and Michael Keane have been efficient under Gareth Southgate but are struggling in club football for a while. England are still the favourites to make it to EURO 2020 as group leaders, but a reshuffling at the back might work for the manager with in-form Tyrone Mings and Fikayo Tomori among the substitutes who deserve minutes after impressing for their respective outfits. Keane should not be an assured starter right now, which, in turn, would help him grow his game and resolve the limitations.
