Former Everton captain Phil Jagielka believes that the current captain of the club, Seamus Coleman, should be the one to lead the Everton team out when they play in their brand new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
Coleman, one of the elder statesmen of the current Everton side, recently signed a new one-year contract extension to stay with the club, but the club won't move to their new ground until the 2025–26 season.
Everton has to deal with a lot of impending issues, like fights for relegation, points deductions, and other problems, but Coleman has led the team on and off the pitch in those times.
Jagielka believes that Coleman leading the team out in their new stadium would be the perfect reward for his services
"He's been a massive part of the glue that has kept this club together," said Jagielka, who was speaking as he trained with Everton Amputee FC, who will be playing in the FA Disability Cup finals.
Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Sheffield United at Goodison Park on May 11, 2024, in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Emma Simpson/Everton FC via Getty Images)"When times are tough off the pitch, you need people in and around the changing room that have to take it on the chin and galvanise the team.
"He's had to do that. The squad has had a big turnaround. He's got to be the guy who leads it. He's got people that help him, but he's the face of it.
"He still performs on the pitch—that's the be all and end all to getting a new deal. But it's also the things he's done behind closed doors.
"For me, he deserves to be that person leading Everton out into the new stadium. That would be a lovely cherry on top for him. He's dedicated a lot of his life and his career to Everton, and hopefully he gets to do that."
Everton's first game of the season will be against Brighton on August 17.
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