Phil Jagielka confirmed as Everton captain

By Rida Zaheer

He has been the understudy to Phil Neville of late and due to the 36-year-old’s imminent departure, he will be made the

Neville hasn’t been a first-team regular for some time now and he has decided to find a new club in order to get game time. This means the role is an easy choice for Moyes who is very confident in the former Sheffield United man’s ability.

He told the Everton website: “If Phil Neville hasn’t played, Jags has taken on the role – and he will do.

“He’s developed into a top central defender. His performances have been excellent.

“He just needs to look at Phil and see how he conducts himself off the field, making sure the players are alright and everything’s going in the right direction.

“If Jags can do that we’ll hopefully have another period of success with a successful captain, but he’s got a big act to follow because Phil Neville off the field is terrific for the players and he’s been a great captain on the field.”

Jagielka has been arguably the best English centre-back all season and is many people’s favourite when it comes to a starting berth in the national side.

He leads by example both verbally and physically and is as reliable as anyone when called upon, making him the perfect captain material for Everton in the long-term.