Tried and TRUSTED

WHY MOYES WAS SO KEANE TO KEEP HIS FOURTH-CHOICE CENTRE-BACK

- By JOE THOMAS Everton FC Corresponde!

ICHAEL Keane, who has had some difficult times, played so well today and was immense for the goal off the corner. He’s a great boy and showed his professionalism as we've had injuties to (Jake) O’Brien and (James) Tarkowski and we looked different at the back.”

That was David Moyes heaping praise on his fourth-choice centre-back after he played a crucial role in Everton's feelgood win at Fulham in the final weeks of the season.

It was not the only time Blues boss Moyes would venture out of his way to praise Keane. Sometimes it was direct, by name.

On other occasions, such as two weeks later in the bowels of St James’ Park just minutes after ending the campaign with an impressive win and clean sheet at Newcastle United, it was implied: “We're without probably our two best defenders and I have to say the boys have done a great job in keeping it clean”

Yet even then it felt likely Keane would be among the dozen or so players to depart when their terms with Everton expired at the end of June. There had felt an inevitability about the former Burnley defender’s exit for some 18 months.

In January of 2024 he was the subject of interest from Italy and then, both last summer and at the start of 2025, clubs from England and abroad were keeping tabs on him.

That might be one of the reasons why he ended up leaving the club before an agreement was ultimately reached to take him into a ninth campaign in Royal Blue.

The defender was not offered a deal immediately. Unlike Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, who the club moved quickly to keep on Merseyside after the season ended, Keane's situation was left unresolved.

The Blues remained in touch with the player’s representatives but both camps started the summer exploring alternative options, with Championship and newly-promoted Premier League clubs among those showing interest.