Everton's fast start to new term has its roots in having several leaders in the dressing room, says Phil Jagielka

  • Ronald Koeman's Everton have made an impressive start to the new season 
  • Phil Jagielka says that is because the Toffees have three captains in the squad 
  • Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Wayne Rooney all play a leading role  

The secret behind Everton's confident opening to the campaign is having three captains in the dressing-room.

While Phil Jagielka officially wears the armband, he is delighted to share leadership with Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams as Everton follow up difficult trips to Manchester City and Hajduk Split with another toughie at champions Chelsea.

'Because of the experience Wayne Rooney has, when he talks, the attacking young lads especially listen. It's great for the manager to have someone like that. He's a captain whether he wears the armband on not,' insists Jagielka.

Phil Jagielka has put Everton's fast start down to the levels of experience in the dressing room

Phil Jagielka has put Everton's fast start down to the levels of experience in the dressing room

Jagielka is the club captain but there are two other leaders, including Wayne Rooney

Jagielka is the club captain but there are two other leaders, including Wayne Rooney

'We've also got Ashley Williams who is a captain so it's nice for the manager to have these experienced players around the place to help the crop of young players we have and make sure everyone presses on in the right direction.


'I almost laughed to myself when those fixtures came out (Everton play Manchester United and Spurs next). To have three away games against Manchester City, Hajduk Split and Chelsea means a lot of travelling. 

'But we are in what I consider to be the best league in the world and we want to play in Europe so this is the challenge the manager and players need to step up and make sure we don't let ourselves down.'

Ashley Williams is another old head in the Goodison Park changing room this season

Ashley Williams is another old head in the Goodison Park changing room this season

So far, Everton are living up to those expectations raised by a busy transfer window which saw Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson sign for big money and Rooney's return to Goodison Park.

Pickford and Keane were named in Gareth Southgate's England squad on Thursday. Jagielka, 35, has played in both of Everton's opening Premier League games in which they've conceded only one goal in 180 minutes against Stoke and Manchester City.

The centre-half hasn't finished in the top four in 10 years at Goodison but hopes that will change.

'Ultimately, that has got to be the aim,' he said. 

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