Sheffield United defender, Phil Jagielka, has revealed he didn’t want to leave Everton last summer.
Jagielka rejoined boyhood club the Blades after 12 years at Goodison Park ahead of the 2019/20 season.
The 37-year-old was out of contract with the Toffees and was not offered a new deal by the Merseyside club. Newly promoted United therefore made their move to bring Jagielka back to Bramall Lane.
However, if the centre-back had his way he would still be playing in blue, rather than red and white stripes.
“I would have done (stayed). There was talk,” Jagielka told beIN Sports.
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“But at the time they were after a couple of centre halves – Kurt Zouma, who we’d had on loan.
“So it got to the point where they couldn’t really make their mind up. So the easy decision for them was to let me go and try and find somewhere else.
“It wasn’t nice to hear.”
What next for Phil Jagielka at Sheffield United?
(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Jagielka signed a one-year contract with the club where he first made his name. It means that he will become a free agent once more at the end of June, unless he is offered a new deal.
That is slightly complicated by the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has currently put professional football on hold. There have been no Premier League fixtures since they were indefinitely suspended on March 13.
When the season will resume – if at all – is unclear. Games could well be played beyond the June 30 deadline when contracts expire.
FIFA have put forward recommendations to temporarily extend deals until the campaign is concluded. And manager Chris Wilder has specifically named Jagielka as someone in his squad who would sign an extension.
Wilder is clearly a big fan of the England international. The 52-year-old has previously praised Jagielka’s characteristics and influence around the club.
Whether that sees the veteran – who has made eight appearances all campaign – earn a new permanent contract, is another matter.
