PHIL JAGIELKA has quickly become one of the success stories of Everton’s season but it is only a few months since he felt his career was derailing.
Such a claim may seem strange after another colossal performance at the heart of the Blues’ defence – Jagielka was terrific in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Portsmouth – but he admits his early days on Merseyside were racked with self doubt.
The defender was unable to break into the starting line-up when the campaign was in its infancy. Jagielka, when called upon, was invariably asked to fill an alien position and, as a result, his performances suffered.
That led Jagielka to question whether he had made the right decision in moving from Sheffield United to Goodison Park – or if he was good enough to hold his own in a squad that had vastly different aims compared to his former employers.
A few words of reassurance from David Moyes, however, worked and once Jagielka, who cost £4m, was given an opportunity to shine in his favoured position – central defence – things improved dramatically.
The 25-year-old is now one of the first names on the team sheet and he is relishing being involved in a squad that is chasing a place in the Champions League, not to mention UEFA Cup glory.
“I thought that maybe Everton was a step too far,” said Jagielka, who has now made 37 appearances and scored two goals for the Blues.
“I thought that Sheffield United, at most the bottom half of the Premier League, was my level.
“I was feeling fragile. I didn’t know how to get into the team and what I was going to do when I was in it.
“When I did get in, I played in different positions and was very frustrated. It was like being away from home.
“I’d left something that was second nature to me. I wondered if I could cut it here. Then David Moyes had a word with me. He was reassuring about things and that helped.”
If Jagielka needed any confirmation that his star is in the ascendancy, it came early last month when Reading visited Goodison and Moyes had a full complement of central defenders following Joseph Yobo’s return from the African Cup of Nations.
Moyes kept faith with Jagielka in the middle, switched Joleon Lescott to left back and was rewarded when the England B international crowned a majestic display with the game’s only goal. Significantly, Moyes had no intentions of dropping him.
“When I stayed in the team after Joe came back, the gaffer didn’t say anything to me,” said Jagielka. “But it was like a big silent pat on the back. He’s clever with his mannerisms.
“He keeps you guarded by not saying much and letting you decide what he’s thinking. It’s a clever way of doing things. People will understand what I mean when I say that Neil Warnock is a one-off.
“He wouldn’t do the arm around the shoulder thing, but he was a father figure to me. He looked after me. He knew I’d never let him down. I hope David Moyes will come to feel the same way.”
Given the way Jagielka is playing, there’s every reason to believe Moyes is thinking that way already.
