Why Leicester extending Jonny Evans contract would be a useful move
According to BBC Sport, Jonny Evans is keen on extending his stay at Leicester. The veteran centre-back is in the final few months of his current deal and spoke about how he would like to take up the option of a renewal if the club presented him with the option.
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The 32-year-old Northern Irish centre-back 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 three league titles during 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 goals each. (h/t Transfermarkt)
After three 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 77 appearances for them to 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.
Evans’ contract extension would be a useful move
It was reported earlier that even Brendan Rodgers was interested in extending Evans’ contract. Since joining Leicester two seasons ago, 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 fifth-best defensive record for the season 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.
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While Soyuncu was talked about last season, Evans quietly went about his work. Because that is exactly how Evans has been throughout his career. He has never wanted the spotlight and seems more than happy to just get the job done. Extending his contract will be a very useful move for the club.
