Former Blues’ defender grateful for Everton opportunity

There are a handful of missed opportunities through the years that Everton fans enjoy discussing rather wistfully. If we’d only kept this player or that, look where they are now - so on and so forth. You know the names - Shkodran Mustafi, Eric Dier, and more recently, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Shane Duffy.

The Irishman joined Everton at 16 years old, and while he only made 10 appearances for the Blues, he’s gone on to become one of the more reliable center backs in the Premier League. Duffy is grateful to Everton for giving him his start in English football.

“I owe a lot to Everton. I’ll always be thankful for what they did for me.

“I know at the time I wasn’t ready to play there and I wasn’t good enough to play there.”

Argus

Funnily enough, this time last year Everton could have really used a Shane Duffy in defense. Mason Holgate was too raw, Ramiro Funes Mori too hurt, Michael Keane too inconsistent, and Ashley Williams too past it. Now, though, Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina are on the books, while Keane has improved significantly.

Once a Blue, always a Blue, and we wish Shane the best of luck with his career.. beginning on Sunday.