Simon Jordan slams Michael Keane as he reveals what Everton must do to avoid relegation
Simon Jordan has slammed Michael Keane while also suggesting that Everton must keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit to avoid relegation this season.
The Toffees moved five points away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday (29 October) thanks to Calvert-Lewin’s second-half strike, in a performance that earned Sean Dyche’s side plenty of credit following a difficult week.
While the Everton forward stole the headlines, plenty of credit was given to both Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski for their performances in defence and Jordan couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a subtle shot at Keane alongside his praise.
Speaking on talkSport (30 October, 11:23) he said: “They need to keep Calvert-Lewin fit, that is a key component of their side. Obviously, they’ve got a central defensive partnership now, if you can keep Michael Keane out of the side, then they’re going to have defensive stability in my view.
“When you’ve got Calvert-Lewin up top, irrespective of the comments I’ve made previously, he will score goals, but you’ve got to keep him fit.”
Defensive stability
This is not the first time that Jordan has taken aim at Keane whom he has repeatedly been critical of as a defender, once suggesting that the former Burnley centre-back “can’t defend,” following the Toffees’ 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa earlier this season [Liverpool World, 22 August].
It has been a difficult campaign for the 30-year-old who has seen his involvement limited in recent weeks as Branthwaite and Tarkowski have been preferred ahead of Jordan Pickford, limiting Keane to starts in the Carabao Cup and cameos from the bench.
From the bench against Liverpool it was the Toffees defender who gave away the costly penalty as he was adjudged to handle the ball in the penalty area after being introduced at half-time following Ashley Young’s first-half sending-off.
Currently, the former England international doesn’t appear to be in consideration for a starting place at Goodison Park and it is hard to argue with Jordan’s view that Dyche’s side looks much more stable in defence with Branthwaite and Tarkowski than they did with Keane.
He may be afforded a chance to prove the presenter wrong in the Carabao Cup clash with Burnley however, should Dyche opt to give him a start if he names a changed side.
In other Everton news, Michael Ball has suggested that the potential 12-point deduction faced by the Toffees is “disgusting” and could be “catastrophic”