Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that Phil Jagielka has been the best English centre-back in the Premier League over the past year.
The 32-year-old has had a solid start to the season for the Toffees, despite playing alongside an inexperienced backline featuring Tyias Browning, Brendan Galloway and Ramiro Funes Mori.
Martinez has admitted that he has been delighted with the way the youngsters coped with the pressure in the Merseyside derby, but has hailed the reassuring presence of Jagielka as the driving force behind their performance.
"Tyias performed with defensive arrogance, Brendan brings a smile to your face and Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka looked like a partnership that had been performing for years," Martinez told Sky Sports News.
"Phil Jagielka has been the most consistent and best English centre-back in the last 12 months. It is no coincidence anyone around him performs."
Everton have the sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League this season, which has included three clean sheets in their eight matches.
Simon Sinclair
