The NSNO Everton Forums

1 yr contract, and EFC option to extend another year should we choose to.
Contract terms different from the one last year also (apparently)

Cozzie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 6:48 am Just sign a RB so at least Jake gets in the CB.

Yeah this 100% has to happen, and in fully convinced it will.

Ideally we have Branthwaite fit and healthy next season. This means either Tarks or JOB as his partner, and Keane 4th choice.

I still think JOB will be back up RB so we'll see Keane at CB if he shifts over there to cover an injury, but in theory Keane should see a lot less game time next season... but he's been a valuable player this year and I'm pleased he's done enough to earn a renewal.

brap2 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 8:04 am I’d much rather he wasn’t here tbh but fair play and good luck to him

Its much better than having to spend money on CB cover next season.

AndSeel wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 6:08 pm Its much better than having to spend money on CB cover next season.

Is it?

Hasn’t been for the last 9 years but 10th times the charm I suppose

brap2 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 9:32 pm Is it?

Hasn’t been for the last 9 years but 10th times the charm I suppose

It is if he is continuously compared to Fictitious Figment FC's superb up-and-coming Centre Back, or the like.

Testimonial season for him.

brap2 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 24, 2026 9:32 pm Is it?

Hasn’t been for the last 9 years but 10th times the charm I suppose

I think you are just not happy unless you are moaning about something.

Hes 4th choice. That being said hes played well when called upon this season.

Not having to buy a CB for cover is good as we clearly have a lot of positions we need 1st 11 quality for.

He’s been fine.

Probably had his best season for us.

Would still let him go for a free if I could go back in time so we could use obrien more and get a proper right back, but with Europe a very real possibility there’s no issue in keeping him on for next season.

I suspect for a manager, having a character like Keane knocking about who’s happy being a fringe player and won’t sulk if he’s not playing makes their job a lot easier.

AndSeel wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 8:53 am I think you are just not happy unless you are moaning about something.

Hes 4th choice. That being said hes played well when called upon this season.

Not having to buy a CB for cover is good as we clearly have a lot of positions we need 1st 11 quality for.

I think he is absolutely OKAY as a player, but I’d rather he wasn’t here for another year personally.

If he’s not here another year it removes that safety blanket, it forces the club to go into the market. Maybe we sign a top cb and Jake becomes the 4th cb. Maybe Tark does. Maybe we sign a back up and nothing changes, maybe we sign a back up and he’s worse. Who knows.

I personally would rather Michael Keane wasn’t here for another year, but equally have said fair play to him.

Surprised this is such a controversial view to be quite honest.

brap2 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 9:31 am I think he is absolutely OKAY as a player, but I’d rather he wasn’t here for another year personally.

If he’s not here another year it removes that safety blanket, it forces the club to go into the market. Maybe we sign a top cb and Jake becomes the 4th cb. Maybe Tark does. Maybe we sign a back up and nothing changes, maybe we sign a back up and he’s worse. Who knows.

I personally would rather Michael Keane wasn’t here for another year, but equally have said fair play to him.

Surprised this is such a controversial view to be quite honest.

It's absolutely not, I am a big fan of the lad but to progress it's a very safe choice to keep Keane and not to the chance on o Brien and new fullbacks. Some of it may be a financial decision but in terms of progression it's not the most progressive choice. We get into Europe then it's a good deal because of the sheer volume of games, if we don't it's not as good a decision in my opinion.

I think people just ignore the financial side a lot, and I understand it's not an exciting part of modern day football, but it's still a huge driving force in decisions clubs make.

You don't let a player go on a free if you then have to replace them by spending money when there's other areas of a team that need huge investment.

Keane ended up being 3rd choice not 4th because the club didn't invest in a right back, but in the summer they absolutely will... That leaves 4 CBs which is what we need, but all the money then goes to the correct areas to strengthen correctly.

He's also had a good season, so really there's nothing to complain about imo.

Now if he starts ahead of JOB next season at CB then I might start to be more annoyed about his role in the team, but I doubt that'll happen.

brap2 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 9:31 am I think he is absolutely OKAY as a player, but I’d rather he wasn’t here for another year personally.

If he’s not here another year it removes that safety blanket, it forces the club to go into the market. Maybe we sign a top cb and Jake becomes the 4th cb. Maybe Tark does. Maybe we sign a back up and nothing changes, maybe we sign a back up and he’s worse. Who knows.

I personally would rather Michael Keane wasn’t here for another year, but equally have said fair play to him.

Surprised this is such a controversial view to be quite honest.

I think anything but playing it safe with our 4th choice centre half would be a bit silly. We are desperate in other areas. Maybe 2 right backs, 1 left back, a striker, still need more pace on the wings. Seems crazy that we'd want to mess at all with our centre halves where we are strong and have a really good mix of young and older players

777Kidnappings wrote: ↑Sat Apr 25, 2026 1:41 pm I think anything but playing it safe with our 4th choice centre half would be a bit silly. We are desperate in other areas. Maybe 2 right backs, 1 left back, a striker, still need more pace on the wings. Seems crazy that we'd want to mess at all with our centre halves where we are strong and have a really good mix of young and older players

And that’s fine.

I’m ready to move on from Michael Keane.