Why a new contract for Jonny Evans would be a wise move by Leicester City
Sky Sports reports that Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is keen for Jonny Evans to extend his contract with the Foxes.
The 32-year-old is in the final year of his current contract with Leicester. And the manager, who has praised the veteran’s performances, is hoping that a new deal can be agreed upon at the earliest. (h/t Sky Sports)
Profile
Jonny Evans is a 32-year-old Northern Irish centre-back who plays for Leicester City. He was playing for Greenisland FC when Manchester United scouted him and brought him to their academy in 2004. Despite being promoted to the first team in 2006, he was sent out on successive loan spells to Royal Antwerp and Sunderland (twice).
It was only from 2008 that Evans started featuring for the Red Devils. Evans won 3 league titles in his time at United before departing for West Brom in 2015. He played a total of 198 games for the Red Devils, scoring and assisting 7 each. (h/t Transfermarkt)
After 3 seasons and 96 appearances for the Baggies, he moved to Leicester City when West Brom got relegated in 2018. He looked like a player reborn at Leicester and has made 74 appearances for them till date, scoring 3 goals and assisting 2.
Evans is a veteran of the Northern Ireland team with 84 caps and 4 goals to his name.
Should Leicester renew his contract?
Since joining Leicester 2 seasons ago and that too for a measly fee, Evans has proven to be a very reliable centre-back.
In 2018, he partnered Harry Maguire and helped Leicester to eight clean sheets in 24 Premier League appearances. In 2019, he stood beside Caglar Soyuncu and helped Leicester to the fifth-best defensive record in the English top-flight. Evans did not miss a single league game for the Foxes in 2019/20, and led them to 13 clean sheets.
A seasoned campaigner and a leader at the back, Evans has proven to be a pivotal player for Leicester under Rodgers. And renewing his contract would be the right move, more so considering that captain Wes Morgan is entering the final phase of his career.
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Verdict
Rogders is right in praising in Evans. And, the veteran center-back absolutely deserves a new contract for his contributions.
While Soyuncu was talked about last season, Evans quietly went about his work. The club should allow the Turkish international to flourish alongside Evans for at least another season before making any changes. A new short-term deal should be put on the table which would work for everyone.
