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da fazobetai： As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Everton are close to agreeing a new 12-month contract with Leighton Baines and the club expect the left-back to put pen to paper this week – his current deal will expire at the end of the month.
The England international made just eight appearances last season after losing his place to Lucas Digne, who was signed from Barcelona last summer for £18m and went on to win the club’s Player of the Season award in his first year.
Baines, however, remains a club icon behind the scenes and his presence around the training ground must assumingly be a blessing for Marco Silva – he has been at Goodison Park since 2007 and probably knows the ins and outs of the place like the back of his hand.
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Of course, he would still be Everton’s No.2 left-back if he signed a new deal, but it is unlikely that he will play many games once again with Digne amongst the best performers in England.
Despite that, it is these types of deals that a club like Everton – and any club for that matter – must make in order to keep a sense of identity at the club.
Phil Jagielka, a man who has also been with the Toffees since 2007, has already left and the old guard is slowly fading away.
Players like Baines give the supporters someone to idolise and appreciate. It is very easy to turn your nose up at older, washed up players who won’t offer much on the field – at 34 years of age, Baines could very easily be replaced by a younger figure.
But kudos to Everton for offering him a new deal. These experienced heads are almost as important as the young, fit and firing types such as Richarlison, as they help set the expectations around the club and can offer invaluable advice to their fellow teammates.
A very smart move from Everton, and one that will most likely go down well with the supporters too.