Michael Keane is experiencing a career resurgence at Everton and has been one of the most influential players for David Moyes’ side this season. Not bad for someone who was on the verge of departing this summer.
Signed from Burnley for £25million in 2017, Keane has made 243 appearances for the Toffees and has been a loyal servant for the club. However, the consensus surrounding him before the season was that his best years were behind him.
The emergence of Jarrad Branthwaite also relegated Keane to the bench and with his previous deal, signed during lockdown in August 2020, set to expire this summer, his time on Merseyside looked to be coming to an end.
However, an agreement was reached and a new deal was signed on July 4, extending his future with the club by an additional year.
“I thought that there was a really good chance that I wasn’t coming back. Nothing was ever definite, but I was looking at options and I think the club were looking at options as well,” Keane told Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley.
“That went on for quite a long period of time really. I had a few offers and from what I hear, the club were quite close to signing somebody else, but for whatever reason, that didn’t happen and things got sorted.
“In the end, I think it was the best thing for me. I couldn’t have imagined how well it’s worked out so far.”
Jarrad Branthwaite’s unfortunate injury issues paved the way for Keane to return to the starting XI and he’s currently playing some of his best football in recent years. The 32-year-old, who hasn’t made more than 15 appearances in a league season since 2021/22, has started every single game for the Blues this season.
He’s been a consistent performer and has even outshone his defensive partner, James Tarkowski, in most games so far. Keane has also scored twice in the league, most recently in the 2-0 win over Fulham at home.
“It’s been really unfortunate for Jarrad, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, that’s tough for him. But it’s given me an opportunity and I’ve just really enjoyed being able to play, especially at the new stadium. I’ve really enjoyed playing in a different environment and I think so far it’s brought the best out of me.
“The manager said to me at the end of last season that it should be a given, but I’m no trouble and I give 100% every day and he thinks I’m really good around the place. That goes a long way really, especially as at the time I wasn’t playing a lot.
“So, if you’re not playing, you don’t want people who are going to be sulking and not training properly. You need people who are going to do it properly all the time and I believe that probably played a part in his thinking.
“I think it should be a given to apply yourself and give 100% every day. You never know when you’re going to get the opportunity.
“Last year, I didn’t get the opportunity much, but I was always ready. At the end of the season, I got a few chances and I think that really helped me as well.
“I played a few games and I think I did well towards the end of the season and thankfully I’ve managed to carry that one this year.”
Keane, the only survivor from the spending spree under Farhad Moshiri in 2017, along with Jordan Pickford, has witnessed the turbulent seasons of recent memory. Having lived through relegation battles, points deductions, PSR breaches, managerial merry-go-rounds and ownership changes, the centre-back believes that the Toffees are now enjoying their new life at their new waterfront home and there’s been a shift in perspective.
“There’s a definite change in how we’re looking at the league and where we want to finish,” said Keane, who scored the first comeback goal that put Everton on their way to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace to secure their Premier League status in their final home game of 2022/23. “The league this year is so tight, and everyone is beating each other.
“We’re only five points off the relegation zone but we’re also five points off third place. It’s really tight but we definitely feel we’re good enough to be pushing up the league rather than looking over our shoulders – we’ve done enough of that over the last few years, and we don’t want to do it again.
“There’s a definite change of mentality around the place with the better players we’ve brought in who can keep us away from all that.
“It wasn’t nice. It’s not a position that this club should ever have been in but for one reason or another, we ended up there.
“I think the lads that dug deep and got us through that have got to take a lot of credit. I think things are looking up for the club now at the new stadium and some of the players that the club has brought in and will continue to bring in is all down to what the lads did two or three years ago when the club was going through a really hard time.
“Although it was tough, I’m quite proud of the part I played in that and think a lot of the lads that are here are, plus the ones that have been and gone. I think it’s a big part in Everton’s history and while it wasn’t good, I think we did well to come through it.
“Some would say we put ourselves in that position but there were a lot of other factors as well that go into it. It was definitely a tough period, it wasn’t nice or a good atmosphere coming in every day when you’re in that position.
“It was stressful and there was a lot of pressure. But we did really well to get out of it and hopefully we can stay away from it now and look up.”
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