When your team concedes only 44 goals over an entire season, defenders and goalkeepers might hardly be high on your transfer wish list. But when you are managed by one of the best centre backs the world has seen, the standards are probably quite high.

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And when the said manager sanctions a £30 million bid for a defender (a centre back, also that), the defender should doubtless be the deal. Yes, we are talking about Michael Keane here. While Pickford’s transfer showed intent, Keane’s cements it. Everton want to do proper defending and not just score 1 goal more than the opposition.

Keane Everton

Jagielka, the end?

Burnley conceded 55 goals last season which was lesser than any of the teams in the bottom half of the table. While the entire Burnley defence deserves credits, it is Michael Keane who has come out the tallest. He made 1.9 interceptions per game which compares well to the 1.6 interceptions per game made by Jagielka. Also, the young Englishman made 4.34 recoveries per 90 minutes which is a shade better than the 4.32 recoveries per 90 minutes made by the former Sheffield United man. With Jagielka turning 35 this August, Keane could be the perfect replacement.

Keane and the Everton attack

Keane scored 2 goals and made an assist during his 2016/17 campaign. Aerial might and indirect set-piece threat are his most important strengths.. The former United youngster managed to win 3.8 aerial duals (Both offensive and defensive) compared to 3.4 and 2.1 aerial duals won by Jagielka and Williams respectively. Moreover, Keane had an ICT index of 4.53 per game compared to 4.40 and 3.81 managed by Jagielka and Williams. Only the Irish wing back, Seamus Coleman managed to have a better ICT index than Keane between the defenders in both the teams.

Keane

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What does Keane’s transfer mean for Draft Fantasy Managers?

Nearly 40% of the Draft Fantasy Managers owned Keane whereas Jagielka and Williams were owned by 28% and 42% of the Draft Fantasy Managers. The low ownership percentage of Jagielka shows the lack of trust in him from draft managers and Keane will likely qualm those concerns. He was drafted only at the 90th round. With Pickford behind and the likes of Williams, Schneiderlein and Gueye alongside him, this number has the potential to move up with more draft managers valuing Keane better at Everton than at Burnley. Keane’s transfer value guarantees a start in the Everton defense and therefore draft managers can without any worries have him high on their list. A good defender from a team that regrets every goal it concedes is surely a value add in any draft team.

While the entire world was talking about John Stones and his ball playing capabilities, it is Keane who has slowly climbed the ‘most promising defender’ ladder. Now it is upto him to further his education under the mentorship of Koeman and Co. Everton on the other hand needed