Seems to be a lot of stuff about us being in for Jagielka, second summer running. What do we think?

For mine, he's a better defender than Cahill and Samba, but does he have the physicality?

May be the best defender that we have linked with but how are his injuries these days? Wouldn't mind Jagielka and Cahill coming in. Not too happy with the interest in Samba.

Just discussing this over at A-M. I like Jagielka, I think he's a good Premier League defender, but I don't think he's quite good enough for us, or more importantly, the type of centreback that we need.

He's similar to Vermaelen, in that he reads the game well, is very mobile for a centreback and comfortable on the ball, but I think Vermalen is superior in each of those things. I also think Vermaelen is stronger and much more aggressive/dominant in the air.

Cahill might not read the game quite as well, but he's a lot stronger in the tackle, and more aggressive/dominant in the air - and I think between the two, Cahill gives us a bit more of what we need.

He's a better player than both Cahill and Samba for my money too. Not sure about his injuries but I would be delighted to have him. I don't think there's a problem physically, either with Jagielka or within the team. Djourou is huge, for instance, and we still leaked goals from setpieces when he was playing. We need better organisation above anything else. A good start is to bring in smarter players.

09/10 was a bad season with injuries (shame, would have been a much better option for the world cup than Matty Upson) but looking at wiki that's the only one since he started playing regular football. Would be very happy to see this happen.

Yep, he started 31 times in the League last year, so I don't think there's anything to really worry about on that front.

Does anyone know how many years he's got left on his current deal?

Yep. His injury problems are a myth. Aside from 09/10 his record stands at 44, 43, 46, 46, 38, 34, 34 and 33 league appearances in each of his other seasons. Unless I'm reading this incorrectly, he started at least 130 consecutive league games for SU.

I think my preference would be Jagielka over Cahill. Better defender, better footballer.

Until 2015 apparently; only re-signed in March.

Klaus wrote:

Does anyone know how many years he's got left on his current deal?

4 years I think. 😛

If Everton are willing to let him go for a sensible price this summer I can only imagine it's because he desperately wants a move, they're desperate for the money or, at 29, this is the last chance of getting a bit of cash for him.

Tim wrote:
Klaus wrote:

Does anyone know how many years he's got left on his current deal?

4 years I think. 😛

Everton might as well sell, only two years until there's only two years left on a deal like that!

Divide the years by four and in another year he'll be out of contract.

Everton only have themselves to blame for letting the situation come to this.

(If Raider ever rolls up here, I'm offski!)

Good payer but I don't really see the point unless he's going to be backup for TV which I seriously doubt. We need height.

It doesn't matter how much height we put in our backline. Best defensive header of the ball at the club is probably Sagna at a massive five foot nine.

It's not a lack of height that is killing us from set-pieces.

Jags is good in the air anyway.

To be honest, most seasoned Premier League central defenders will improve our ability to deal with route one and set-pieces. It's bread and butter for somebody like Jagielka.

Is sagna really only five nine?

Jags is solid but never been overly impressed with him for England or everton in their bigger ties

Jagielka is quality. I've been worried about his injuries but reading those stats it doesn't look as bad as I thought, I suppose its just a thought thats left over from when we were after him last summer when he was coming off the back of that long injury. In terms of physicality I don't think he lacks anything in comparison to Cahill really. He's a bit smaller but he's good in the air and I can't recall him being out muscled too often. He's been great for Everton for a long time, he's the defender City should have signed when they bought Lescott.