Former boxer Tony Bellew smiles over his shoulder, as Everton manager David Moyes grins in a circular inset.
Credit: Imago
Evan Shaw
Tue 18 November 2025 8:10, UK
Tony Bellew feels that one particular Everton star has wrongly gone completely under the radar so far this season.
The Toffees got back to winning ways in the Premier League prior to the international break, as a 2-0 win over Fulham brought their three-match winless run to a close.
Iliman Ndiaye has grabbed the headlines for Everton so far this season, while Jack Grealish has also attracted plenty of attention.
However, the bright start to the campaign from David Moyes’ team has relied upon much more than just two players, and Bellow was keen to single out one man in particular for his recent contributions.
Everton manager David Moyes smiles with his hands in his pockets
Credit: Imago
Tony Bellow hails ‘fantastic’ Michael Keane
Michael Keane has drawn plenty of criticism at Everton over the years, and he has become a scapegoat for the fanbase on a number of occasions.
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However, in the sustained absence of Jarrad Branthwaite through injury, he has produced a string of strong performances for his team when they needed him most.
The Merseysiders are not blessed with a wealth of depth in their defence, and that has resulted in the former Burnley stopper playing all but 25 minutes of their league campaign so far.
Keane nodded home his second goal of the season to seal the three points against Fulham last time out, and Bellew feels that his contributions this term have been overlooked across the Premier League.
“Keane has also been absolutely fantastic this season,” the ex-WBC cruiserweight champion said on talkSPORT on 17 November.
“Everyone’s missing that point; no one is picking it up. He has been unbelievable. He’s scored goals, he’s defended, everything from him so far this season has been brilliant.”
Michael Keane deserves a new contract at Everton
James Garner’s contract situation has dominated recent discussions at Everton, but the fact that Keane could also leave for free at the end of the season has certainly gone under the radar.
The centre-back signed a one-year extension to his previous deal over the summer, and many would have expected it would be his final deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
However, given the way that he has performed in recent weeks, the 32-year-old has surely proved that he is worthy of another deal, as he is clearly still capable of competing in the Premier League.
The mistakes that previously riddled his game appear to be a thing of the past, and that should be enough to tempt Moyes and Co. into rewarding him for his efforts.
Ultimately, Branthwaite is the long-term starter at the heart of the backline, so Keane is unlikely to receive a lengthy new contract, but it would certainly be unjust to see him walk away next summer after his recent displays.
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