Phil Jagielka scores for Everton FC against Wigan
PHIL JAGIELKA admits he was affected by summer speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal – but Everton FC's stand-in captain is delighted to finally be able to put the talk behind him.
The 29-year-old notched his first goal at Goodison Park in three-and-a-half years on Saturday as Everton fought from behind to record a first home win of the Premier League season against Wigan Athletic.
Jagielka cancelled out Franco Di Santo’s deflected opener before late goals from substitutes Apostolos Vellios and Royston Drenthe sealed a 3-1 victory.
Many felt Jagielka would not be an Everton player for the start of the new campaign with Arsenal picking up their pursuit of the England defender in the close season but the club rejected advances from the Emirates Stadium.
Jagielka says seeing his name linked so strongly and regularly with a move away from Merseyside was a new experience to deal with and the centre half has expressed relief the transfer window is now closed.
Whilst Jagielka stayed put, Mikel Arteta, Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford all left Everton and though disappointed to see the players go, Jagielka feels the squad remains healthy.
“I was slightly effected because my name was in the papers a little bit,” said Jagielka of the summer speculation. “But I spoke to the manager a couple of times and he let me know what was going on. It was difficult. There were rumours of this player going and that player going. We were all a lot happier when the window shut.
“Unfortunately we had lost Mikel and Jermaine but that’s what we needed for the club to go forward. Hopefully we will have a good season and that will be the turning point. We’ve balanced the books and brought a couple of players in on loan who have done really well. We’ll go from there.
“It was difficult because I’m not used to speculation. There wasn’t a part of me that expected to go, so it wasn’t hard mentally. If I had wanted to go, I’m sure the gaffer would have expected me to kick up a fuss. But me and him had a good chat and there was an understanding.
