Alan Stubbs has hailed Michael Keane as “the future of Everton” after the England international’s assured start to life at the heart of the Blues’ defence.
Ronald Koeman has used Keane in both a conventional back-four and as part of a three-man rearguard in the team’s seven matches this season.
Keane has looked equally comfortable in either role and earlier this week spoke of how Toffees manager and former defender Koeman’s careful input was helping him mature as a footballer.
A centre-back who played 192 games across two spells with Everton, Stubbs is perfectly placed to assess the credentials of Keane, who moved to Goodison Park from Burnley in the summer.