How Carlo Ancelotti has got Everton’s effervescent leader back to his best – opinion
Everton's English defender Leighton Baines misses this penalty in the shoot-out after the game finished 2-2, during the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on December 18, 2019. - Leicester won the penalty shoot-out 4-2 after the game finished 2-2. (Photo by Anthony Devlin / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton earned a hard-fought point against Manchester United at the weekend and judging by manager Carlo Ancelotti’s reaction after the game, the Toffees felt aggrieved they did not end up with all three after VAR ruled out a late goal.
Their Italian manager has changed more than just the Everton’s results since returning to the Premier League, he has also got the best out of a Goodison Park hero whose relentless determination to stay at the top of his game is incredibly admirable.
Leighton Baines has been rolling back the years under first Duncan Ferguson, then Ancelotti and rightfully displaced Lucas Digne in the starting line-up against the Red Devils. Since joining from Barcelona, Digne has been an incredible asset in defence for the Toffees and has largely reduced the 35-year-old to a bit-part role.
He has featured just five times in the Premier League this term, all of which have come after December, but Baines justified his inclusion on Sunday by attempting 12 crosses, creating three chances and taking more touches than any other player in Blue, as per WhoScored. The performance leaves him as the sixth most highly rated player at Goodison Park this season, with an average match rating of 6.78. It is remarkable how he has immediately readjusted under the new manager without appearing rusty despite a lengthy absence at the start of the campaign.
At 35, Baines still completes an average of 1.6 tackles per match, the fourth most of any Everton defender, along with the fifth-most interceptions, one, of any player in the Toffees’ backline, as per WhoScored. His effervescent performances in an Everton shirt have left Ancelotti with a favourable problem as two of his best performers so far this term have been left-sided defenders.
Baines’ contract is due to expire in the summer, and he is yet to agree terms on a new deal. Given his upturn in form, along with the experience he brings to the Merseyside club, it only seems logical to offer the 35-year-old an extension to his current contract. There are few better second choice full-backs in the division, and recently Baines has put himself in contention to start regularly once again.