Luke Garbutt playing for Everton back in 2015. (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Premier League side Everton released forgotten defender Luke Garbutt on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old left-back spent the whole season on loan with at Ipswich Town and has not played a single game for Everton’s senior side since 2015. Despite 11 years with the Toffees, Garbutt could only make 12 appearances for the Merseyside club and left Goodison Park after his current contract expired.
Garbutt made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Southampton in April 2014 and played 10 times in the 2014-15 season under Roberto Martinez.
Since playing under Martinez that season, Garbutt found it difficult to break into the first-team setup at Everton and has mostly spent time out on loan with as many as six clubs. Apart from Ipswich, Garbutt has featured for Cheltenham Town, Colchester, Fulham, Wigan, and Oxford United during his Everton tenure.
With the side already having Lucas Digne and club legend Leighton Baines as number one and two respectively at left-back, Everton seemed far from interested in handing him a contract extension.
Despite being an academy graduate, Garbutt never really succeeded in establishing himself at Goodison Park, and Everton do not have to worry too much about letting go of him.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side currently have a solid left-back in Digne, who has nailed down the spot for himself ever since his arrival in 2018. He has been especially impressive this season for Everton, scoring one goal and providing seven assists from 32 matches across all competitions.
To date, he has appeared 69 times for the Toffees and has 5 goals and 12 assists under his belt, proving that he is nothing short of talent. Meanwhile, as a back-up, they have veteran Baines, who has made a name for himself at Merseyside.
The 35-year-old has made over 400 appearances for them. His vast experience and knowledge of the game is an added benefit for any side, let alone Everton.
Thus, it is quite clear that Everton are well-equipped at the left-back role and it need not be an area of concern for the side next season. Garbutt was just surplus to their requirements and the club’s decision to release him seems like a step in the right direction.
The left-back role is currently not a problem position for Everton and offloading a rarely used player like Garbutt is a good move by the club. Getting rid of deadwood is always the first thing a club must do before strengthening themselves.
