Everton: Michael Keane should have quit Goodison Park in January after Sean Dyche snubs

Everton defender Michael Keane has become a forgotten man at Goodison Park, and another bench appearance against Manchester City has him questioning his decision to stay with the club.

Erling Haaland scored twice to help City defeat a determined Toffees side on Saturday (10 February) and temporarily lead the Premier League.

Everton’s organisation and resilience had frustrated the defending champions, who had failed to register a shot on target until Haaland scored with 19 minutes remaining.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Ben Godfrey and James Tarkowski were key to the Blues’ solidity against Pep Guardiola’s men but it was yet another game in which saw Keane watching on from the bench, despite Godfrey being forced off with an injury soon after half-time.

Michael Keane should have quit Goodison Park in January

Keane hasn’t played a single game for Sean Dyche since the humiliating 3-0 loss to Wolves on December 30, missing two FA Cup games where Dyche may have been tempted to rotate his team.

The former Burnley defender delivered another poor effort in only his fourth start of the season.

According to SofaScore, the 31-year-old was dribbled past three times, completed only 68% of his passes, touched the ball 37 times, won only two of his six ground duel efforts, and lost control ten times before being removed after 63 minutes.

Given Keane’s status in the squad, he certainly wasn’t short of offers in the January window, especially for clubs in need of a centre-back.

On February 2, Turkish news site Sabah reported that Besiktas attempted to sign the Everton defender before the deadline on February 9, but no deal was made. Dyche had previously favored him.

The defender now appears to be fourth-choice at best, with Godfrey lately returning to the team and maybe leapfrogging him, and with only 18 months remaining on his contract at Goodison Park, February could have been the ideal time to transfer him on.

While Keane will be worth less in the summer, Everton may replace him quickly.

Dyche is unlikely to have been impressed with Keane’s football since taking over, and as a result has felt compelled to cut him from his team, with the former Burnley defender, who was a vital player under Dyche at Turf Moor, not playing since December 30.

That Wolves defeat could well be the last Everton fans see of him starting this season.

Read more news on sportupdates.oc.uk