Carlo Ancelotti has declined to discuss Josh King’s future as an Everton player, claiming that he is only focused on the remaining games of the season.
King has yet to start for the Blues since joining from Bournemouth in early February, with his recent lack of game time seeing speculation mount concerning his Goodison Park exit this summer.
Everton have nine games remaining in the Premier League this season while European football is still very much on the agenda, with the Toffees just five points off the top four with a game in hand.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Ancelotti was recently asked whether contract extension talks for King had taken place, with the Italian explaining that they hadn’t because the club’s priorities are currently elsewhere.
Ancelotti said: “No we haven’t talked about the future, because we are not talking about the future in this moment.
“The future of the structure of next season won’t be discussed now because we are so involved in the games, maybe later.
“I think Josh is doing well, he didn’t play a lot, it’s true.
“He played more when we played in a different system, now for the fact we have a lot of midfielders out we’ve changed the shape and so he suffered a little bit more.”
Right decision
Ancelotti could well be speaking honestly regarding King’s contract, with the player made to wait until the season is concluded and there are no more distractions before Everton sit down and discuss new terms.
Ancelotti could also be using that line as an excuse to hide his true assessment, that King doesn’t warrant an extended stay on Merseyside.
Either way it makes sense for the Toffees to focus their efforts on achieving qualification to Europe, which must remain the priority as Ancelotti looks to grow Everton.
King has hardly been afford the opportunity to shine since becoming an Everton player, despite being labelled a ‘real handful’ by former Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall in January.
If he was to exit in the summer it would be certainly seem untimely, but with Marcel Brands working with Ancelotti to secure the best possible talent on the market, the duo must be trusted to make the right call.
Everton’s recent run in the Premier League has seen them miss chance after chance and squander opportunity, so King’s contract concerns have understandably been pushed to the back of the club’s priorities.
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