Richard Keys and Andy Gray share Everton verdict after Mason Holgate controversy
Richard Keys and Andy Gray have hit out at Mason Holgate after he was sent off for Sheffield United against Brighton, insisting Chris Wilder should send him back to Everton.
The Everton loanee launched into a knee-high tackle on Brighton winger Kauro Mitoma and was initially awarded a yellow card before VAR intervention saw the correct decision made and a straight red card awarded.
Having been sent off just 12 minutes into the game, both Keys and Gray fumed at the challenge while questioning how the referee only gave a yellow card initially.
Speaking live on beIN SPORTS [18 February], Gray ranted: “I don’t know what he’s thinking about,” Gray fumed, “It’s the most ridiculous… It’s just ridiculous.”
Keys then chipped in: “What bothers me is that Stuart Atwell is 15 yards from it and didn’t see it. How did he not see it, Andy, the referee? He shouldn’t need technology to get a red card out for that.”
Gray attempted to justify the initial decision by explaining: “I’m not one for defending officials, right, but the only thing I might say is that he might have been looking at Holgate’s back and therefore he didn’t quite see the severity of the tackle, that’s all I’m saying.
“The thing is, that was horrific. It was horrific. That could have been nasty for Mitoma,” before Keys then finished by saying: “I would’ve put him in his car and sent him back to Everton if I was Chris [Wilder], honestly.”
Does Mason Holgate have a future at Everton?
The likely outcome of this red card is not only that Holgate could fall out of favour at another loan club, with Wilder unlikely to be pleased with his conduct, but he could also be cast aside at Everton.
Two difficult spells out on loan, one in the Championship with Southampton and now in the Premier League, is not a strong negotiating point for the defender if he wishes to remain at Goodison Park under Sean Dyche.
It became clear both in the summer and winter transfer windows that the boss does not see a future for Holgate at Goodison Park, having been keen to ship him out on loan while, despite rumours, the likes of Ben Godfrey remained to provide depth in that role.
After what he did against Brighton, it’s unlikely to have changed Dyche’s mind, and Holgate could find himself in line for a permanent exit from Everton in the summer.
In other Everton news, the club are determined in their new stance on Dele Alli.
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