Phil Jagielka: 'Michael Keane needs to be a lot more vocal'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior ReporterPublished: 21 March 2018 3:56 PM

Everton defender Phil Jagielka urges "quiet" Michael Keane to adopt a more commanding presence at the back if he is to become a success at Goodison Park.

Phil Jagielka has challenged central-defensive partner Michael Keane to become more vocal and "be a boss at the back" for Everton and England.

The 25-year-old has not done enough during his eight months at Goodison Park to persuade international manager Gareth Southgate to pick him for the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.

Jagielka, who earned 40 caps for the Three Lions, believes that the key to Keane forcing his way back into Southgate's plans is to provide a more commanding presence at the back.

"He is quite a quiet lad and I have openly said, 'Shout at me, shout at someone else, no one is taking anything personally, we need to know where everyone is', and I think that is something he has in him," he told the club's official website.

"At the start of his career here we had a few difficult periods so it was probably natural to go into your shell a little bit. But I am encouraging him to be himself and be a boss at the back - whether you are a loud person on or off the pitch, when you are on the pitch you need to pass on information."

Keane has been replaced in the England squad by James Tarkowski, who has stepped up at Burnley since his former teammate left the club.