Mason Holgate absent from Southampton squad vs Norwich City amid Everton return speculation
Mason Holgate was not part of the Southampton squad on Monday (1 January) amid suggestions he could be on his way back to Everton.
The defender was not selected by Russell Martin for the Championship clash with Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Daily Echo reporter Alfie House pointed on on his personal Twitter page [1 January] that Everton have the right to recall Holgate this month.
“No Mason Holgate on the bench either today. Recall window is now open,” House tweeted.
Downfall
Holgate’s move to Southampton was supposed to help kick-start his career, but it is fair to say it has not quite worked out that way.
The 27-year-old has played in just five of the Saints’ 26 matches this season, and has not featured at all since November.
As reported by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell (28 December) last week, Holgate is “very likely” to return to Everton this month.
Holgate is unlikely to have a future at Goodison Park under Sean Dyche, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.
A loan to another Championship club seems the most obvious option, but that team would have to be able to pay his wages.
And after struggling to make an impression at Southampton, it may well be that there are not a great deal of options on the table.
It is quite the downfall for Holgate, but there is no reason why he cannot turn things around with the right move this month.
In other Everton news, a “perfect” player has been highlighted as the template Kevin Thelwell intends to follow at Goodison Park.