Michael Keane is enjoying his upturn in fortunes at Everton after coming through the club's darkest period and admitting he thought his time with the Blues was coming to a close
Michael Keane admits he thought his Everton career was over this summer. But he’s delighted to have been given a second chance by the Blues having helped them through some of their darkest times.A £25million acquisition from Burnley, the centre-back, who returns to face Manchester United on Monday, the club where he started his career, was part of a raft of signings made on what was a record-breaking spending spree at Goodison Park in the summer of 2017, but only himself and Jordan Pickford remain.
Under former majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, Everton endured a series of tumultuous seasons on and off the pitch, coming within one goal of a first relegation in 72 years in 2022/23 having posted the lowest equivalent points total in the club’s history and then suffering an unprecedented brace of points deductions for PSR rule breaches the following campaign.
With the five-year deal Keane signed during lockdown under Carlo Ancelotti in August 2020 having expired this summer, his time on Merseyside looked to be coming to a close, but on July 4 it was announced that he had penned a new one-year deal.
Then, with Everton’s most valuable asset Jarrad Branthwaite having been sidelined for the entire season so far with a hamstring injury which has now required an operation, the 32-year-old has stepped up to become arguably David Moyes’ most consistent performer.
Keane said: “I thought that there was a really good chance that I wasn’t coming back. Nothing was ever definite, but I was looking at options and I think the club were looking at options as well.
“That went on for quite a long period of time really. I had a few offers and from what I hear, the club were quite close to signing somebody else, but for whatever reason, that didn’t happen and things got sorted.
“In the end, I think it was the best thing for me. I couldn’t have imagined how well it’s worked out so far.
“It’s been really unfortunate for Jarrad and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, that’s tough for him. But it’s given me an opportunity and I’ve just really enjoyed being able to play, especially at the new stadium, I’ve really enjoyed playing in a different environment and I think so far it’s brought the best out of me.
“The manager said to me at the end of last season that it should be a given, but I’m no trouble and I give 100% every day and he thinks I’m really good around the place. That goes a long way really, especially as at the time I wasn’t playing a lot.
“So, if you’re not playing, you don’t want people who are going to be sulking and not training properly. You need people who are going to do it properly all the time and I believe that probably played a part in his thinking.
“I think it should be a given to apply yourself and give 100% every day. You never know when you’re going to get the opportunity.
“Last year I didn’t get the opportunity much, but I was always ready. At the end of the season, I got a few chances and I think that really helped me as well.
“I played a few games and I think I did well towards the end of the season and thankfully I’ve managed to carry that one this year.”
Keane, who was capped a dozen times by England between 2017-20, added: “I’ve not surprised myself. I don’t think I’m doing anything I didn’t think I could do.
“I’m really enjoying playing football at the minute. Maybe that comes with maturing and getting a little bit older and the new environment of the new stadium while probably the better players we’ve got in the team now helps with the way we’re playing because we try and keep the ball a bit more and I think that suits me.
“I think there are a few things. The manager as well has been great with me and put his trust in me, so all those things put together have given me a good foundation to go out there and perform.”
Keane believes that with the Blues now enjoying a fresh start at their new home by the banks of the Mersey under new owners, those like himself who helped them keep their heads above water take some satisfaction in coming through the tough times.
“There’s a definite change in how we’re looking at the league and where we want to finish,” said Keane, who scored the first comeback goal that put Everton on their way to a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace to secure their Premier League status in their final home game of 2022/23. “The league this year is so tight, and everyone is beating each other.
“We’re only five points off the relegation zone but we’re also five points off third place. It’s really tight but we definitely feel we’re good enough to be pushing up the league rather than looking over our shoulders – we’ve done enough of that over the last few years, and we don’t want to do it again.
“There’s a definite change of mentality around the place with the better players we’ve brought in who can keep us away from all that.
“It wasn’t nice. It’s not a position that this club should ever have been in but for one reason or another, we ended up there.
“I think the lads that dug deep and got us through that have got to take a lot of credit. I think things are looking up for the club now at the new stadium and some of the players that the club has brought in and will continue to bring in is all down to what the lads did two or three years ago when the club was going through a really hard time.
“Although it was tough, I’m quite proud of the part I played in that and think a lot of the lads that are here are, plus the ones that have been and gone. I think it’s a big part in Everton’s history and while it wasn’t good, I think we did well to come through it.
“Some would say we put ourselves in that position but there were a lot of other factors as well that go into it. It was definitely a tough period, it wasn’t nice or a good atmosphere coming in every day when you’re in that position.
“It was stressful and there was a lot of pressure. But we did really well to get out of it and hopefully we can stay away from it now and look up.”
So, given his form, does Keane, who has played every minute of the season so far, expect contract negotiations to start a bit earlier this time around? He said: “I don’t know. That’s up to the club.
“Obviously, if I can carry on playing like I am, that’s my main focus. I’d like to think so, I’m not sure, you’d have to ask them.
“I’m just focusing on myself, trying to keep playing well and these things look after themselves.”