As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Everton club captain Phil Jagielka earned his 40th cap for England yesterday when he came on as a second half substitute against Spain in a friendly. With that appearance, he passed club legend Alan Ball who had the previous highest for any Everton player with the Three Lions after earning 39 caps.
Ball was famously the Man of the Match at the 1966 World Cup Final, to date England’s greatest success on the international stage. He ended his career with 72 caps, but only 39 were earned while he was with the Toffees.
Another 1966 World Cup winner, Ray Wilson is Everton’s third-highest capped England international with 33 caps during his time at Goodison Park. Leighton Baines is fourth on the list with 30 caps.
When we look at other nations though, it’s two long-serving Toffees goalkeepers who lead the way with caps for their countries.
Tim Howard earned 93 caps for the USA, out of a total of 111, while he was at Everton. Two other former Blues, Joe Max-Moore has 100 caps (22 while at Everton) and Landon Donovan has 157 caps (1 while at Everton).
Neville Southall has 91 of his 92 caps for Wales while he played for the Toffees.
Among the other home countries, David Weir leads the Everton Scottish contingent with 43 of his 69 caps coming while he was at Goodison.
Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman this week equalled Kevin Sheedy’s record of 42 caps while at the Blues.
Other Everton internationals who have matched or bettered Jagielka’s 40 cap total are all from the 21st century era – 55: Joseph Yobo (Nigeria); 53: Tim Cahill (Australia); 44: Thomas Gravesen (Denmark); 40: John Heitinga (Netherlands).