Report: Brands in talks with Everton star over new contract
It’s safe to say that Everton centre back Mason Holgate has emerged this season as the club’s most reliable player at his position.
The 23-year-old has put his old inconsistency behind him to outplay Michael Keane and Yerry Mina by absolute miles.
That’s something that was unthinkable this time last season, and is evidence of the huge improvement he’s made this campaign.
It’s no surprise, then, that Football Insider reported on Wednesday that director of football Marcel Brands has opened talks with the youngster over a new contract.
The former Barnsley man has attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs this month, but the Blues made it clear that they wouldn’t countenance letting him go.
Holgate is now in the final 18 months of his current deal, and is set to receive a big pay rise in a new long-term contract.
How deserving is Holgate of a new deal?
Wholly deserving. Holgate’s improvement and team-best form this season absolutely warrants a new and improved contract.
Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin can even challenge Holgate for Everton’s Player of the Year award at the half-way stage, and if that doesn’t deserve fresh terms nothing does.
The defender is one of the first names on the team-sheet now, and deserves to be paid as such. He is a key man for the Toffees.
In other Everton news, club legend Kevin Ratcliffe has weighed in on a behind-the-scenes update on one Blues star.