Why Everton legend must stay at Goodison to eclipse club record – opinion

Everton have been enjoying a revival since the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, but it is not just the team’s performances that have taken an upturn, with Leighton Baines enjoying something of an Indian summer himself this season. Having scarcely featured in the opening half of the campaign, making his first start in December, it appeared the scintillating Lucas Digne would be keeping the 35-year-old permanently side-lined.

However, the Frenchman picked up a muscle strain and Baines was recalled to the starting eleven in his place. It is fair to say the Goodison Park veteran has not looked back, making five Premier League appearances, recording an impressive 6.78 average match rating in the process, the sixth-best of any Everton player, as per WhoScored.

It has been reported that Baines was close to securing a move to the MLS, with Los Angeles touted as a likely location. But given that the Englishman has performed so admirably in Digne’s absence, if the Toffees place a contract on the table, the 35-year-old should sign. He is fast approaching Tim Howard’s Premier League record of 354 appearances for Everton, with Baines currently standing on 345, ten shy of eclipsing the former USA international goalkeeper.

Given his performances this term, Baines would not only be a vitally experienced member of Ancelotti’s squad, but a capable back up for the first choice French left-back. Only Theo Walcott comes close to having played the same number of Premier League matches as Baines, 342, and even then the left-back has featured more times for Everton alone than the winger’s total.

Furthermore, even if he was to feature infrequently, the 35-year-old’s £65k a week salary is almost half of Everton’s highest earners, Bernard and Yerry Mina who take home £120k per week, meaning it is likely an expense they could afford. You simply cannot put a price on the experience and calm head that Baines brings to the table both behind the scenes and on the pitch at Goodison Park.

Despite a potentially lucrative move stateside, the Toffees should ensure they hold onto the Englishman for at least one more season. Should he stay, it is incredibly likely he will be writing himself into the Everton history books.