If you ever played FM as Everton with the facepack thing installed, you're likely to have seen this picture before. Shane Duffy's lovely mug coupled with those physical stats and big potential. As we have learned of him before, this boy is a fighter. And i would say he is in the fight for a place at the heart of our back for this season - a fight which will be tough, as he is facing up to Stones, Jags, Distin and Alcaraz for starters.
However, all of those players have struggled with injuries, and i guess are likely to be rested for a lot of games anyway, seeing how our schedule gets so busy already halfway through september. There will be playing time to be had, and i'd say Shane is coming off a good spell in his career where it would only serve us well if we attempt to nurture it.
During the past year our young irish centre back has played almost 40 games in the champo, and yeah, gotten relegated but racked up some important experience. He also made his debut for the senior national team. Out of our centre backs who played in blue last season, Alcaraz managed 8 and Stones & Jags spread the rest of their duties out on about 20 games each, Distin impressively holding on for 36 starts. But out of the group, one could at least consider that full season under his belt would put him in front of the shaky Alcaraz (who also as something to prove, mind) and contending for the holes in the roster from injuries and setback. And surely there is a gaping hole left in defence for someone to eventually replace Distin! There's a future there somewhere.
We've heard a lot about John Stones and i am excited beyond anything for him, but let's not let Shane Duffy be left in the shadows! At 22 years and with only a year left on his contract this is indeed his time to earn his career as a Premier League centre back. And i love the guy, seems sound and has made it far despite all kinds of setbacks, so i've got my fingers crossed for him this season.
Does Roberto though? Are we sure he rates him? Do you guys do so?
Will we ever hear from his dad @brian duffy on this forum again?
Ominously, his last visit was on transfer deadline day in january.
Either way i'm looking forward to seeing him in pre-season and i'm sure we will see him again on the pitch, hopefully more than ever. Otherwise he probably wouldn't want to stay, would he? I suppose he won't if he in fact is not good enough...
