Saikat Mandal

Fri 11 February 2022 21:10, UK

Everton defender Yerry Mina has picked up yet another injury that may have put his long-term future at the club in jeopardy.

The Colombian defender, when fit, is arguably the best in his position at the club, and he is a big figure in the dressing room.

However, therein lies the main problem, he hardly remains fit.

This has been an injury-hit campaign for Mina, and he has only managed just 10 Premier League games.

The 27-year-old picked up an injury in the 3-1 defeat against Newcastle in the previous game and he is set to miss action for up to two months.

Frank Lampard has rightly pointed out (11 February) that he is a “top player”, and a “big personality”.

“In the week I’ve been here I’ve realised he is a big leader in the group, a top player, and a big miss,” said Lampard, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

“I was aware on the night of how serious it was and our worst fears were confirmed. Yerry’s a big personality here, he’s a positive man who we’ll miss.”

However, there comes a point when the club has to make a call, and Lampard should start thinking of replacing him next summer.

Back in November, The Athletic claimed that the Toffees could sell him at some point. This season should be his last at the Merseyside club.

Mina has a contract at the club till 2023, and it is high time they cash in on him.

It’s really difficult for a manager to build a squad around someone whom he considers to be a leader when he is not contributing enough on the pitch.

These are early days for Lampard, and he will need time to assess the squad. Losing Mina at a time when he needs all his best players to get the results on board is a massive blow.

If Everton can ride the storm in the next few months without Mina, surely his long-term future at the club will come under huge threat.

In other Everton news, four changes and two players could be axed in for the game against Leeds in our predicted line-up.