Of all the new boys that Everton brought into the squad over the summer, it’s arguable that ex-Burnley man Michael Keane has been the pick of the lot so far. The Englishman is deft on the ball, strong in the air, and the most assured central defender that the Blues have had in years.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the 24 year old’s calm demeanor on the pitch can be found elsewhere, too. Speaking to Everton’s website, Keane offered assurances that a good run of form is just around the corner.
We’ve had a bad start to the season but we’re still not too far away from where we’d want to be.
If we put a good run together of three or four wins in a row, which we are capable of, I’m sure we’ll climb back up the table.
It’s only seven games in, so there’s a long way to go. It’s been a slow start but we just need to keep working hard and pick it up.
Michael Keane is on track for a strong first season in royal blue. He opened his account with a header against Hajduk Split in the Europa League, and is completing 82% of his passes along with winning nearly 3 aerial duels per game. Keane is quickly becoming a leader at Finch Farm, and so his teammates would do well to listen up.
We just need to keep working hard every day on the training pitch and do the right things all of the time.
We’ve got an experienced manager, we’ve got some experienced players, and they know we will come out of it.
We just have to keep working hard - that’s all you can do, and then give your best every time.
If we get a few wins, that confidence will come back and hopefully that’s sooner rather than later.
Perhaps it is not as simple as Keane says. After all, Ronald Koeman has much work to do before the players can perform to the best of their abilities. But the quality is undoubtedly there, and that’s something Everton fans can take solace in over the interminable international break.
Michael Keane isn’t throwing in the towel, and neither should we.