‘Can’t imagine’ – Mason Holgate delighted as Everton offer new deal to ‘integral’ player
Everton defender Mason Holgate has shown his delight after the Toffees offered Leighton Baines a new contract at Goodison Park.
The young defender only signed a new deal himself recently under Carlo Ancelotti and claims that the club legend Baines deserves one too.
Baines is set to extend his stay in Merseyside after joining the club from Wigan way back in 2007, going on to make 417 appearances.
Holgate claimed that outsiders have started to overlook the veteran’s ability on the pitch, and believes that he still adds lots to the squad.
“He’s still a really good player,” he told talkSPORT.
“People overlook what he can do on a football field, as he still adds a lot to our squad and our team when he plays.
“I can’t imagine the dressing room without him. Seamus [Coleman] and him have been integral in the set-up since I’ve been here, so it will be nice to carry that on for at least another year.”
Ancelotti hasn’t used Baines massively this season, but he clearly still appreciates what he can bring to the squad on and off the pitch.
The 35-year-old has only made three starts in the Premier League, as well as coming off the bench twice. Those games prove how highly rated he is – they came against Manchester United twice, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.
Baines is the perfect role model, as Holgate mentioned, and other young Everton prospects are set to learn from the full-back next season too.
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