---
title: "Holgate and Mina are Everton’s best defensive pairing claim fans"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/holgate-and-mina-are-evertons-best-defensive-pairing-claim-fans/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-11-01T22:00:24Z"
modified: "2019-11-01T22:00:24Z"
---

# Holgate and Mina are Everton’s best defensive pairing claim fans

Mason Holgate has provided Marco Silva with a bit of a selection headache going forward due to his recent performances.

Yerry Mina and Michael Keane began the season as the guaranteed starting pair of centre-backs for Everton, while Mason Holgate was the sole understudy, without much else in the way of depth in that position.

However with Mina recently picking up a slight knock, Holgate started last weekend’s Premier League fixture against Brighton where he impressed, leading to him keeping his place in the Carabao Cup game against Watford.

![Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2019/11/1183580500.jpg)

Given his recent run of form, and having scored Everton’s first goal against the Hornets on Tuesday, Silva faces a tough decision over who should start when all three defenders are fully fit.

Holgate is likely to partner Keane on Sunday for Tottenham with Mina still nursing a knee injury, but it will be tough to pick a pairing for Everton’s following game against Southampton.

Several Everton fans were clear online about who they would go with though, choosing the most in-form duo to lead the defensive line.

> Twitter: @ReadEverton Keane is obviously struggling with confidence at moment I would take him out might do him power of goo… https://t.co/ZOcJbCn83y (@Notreve1878Paul)

> Twitter: @ReadEverton Obviously Mina and Holgate, how is this even a question? (@KvanH\_17)

> Twitter: @ReadEverton Mina and holgate (@HillGavinedward)

> Twitter: @ReadEverton On current form it’s got to be Mina and holgate, both offer so much more than Keane (@kevsparr)

### Read Everton Verdict

This view is definitely one that I agree with. Michael Keane has unfortunately suffered a period of poor form at the same time that Mason Holgate has excelled, which has turned the defensive paradigm in Mason’s favour.

This could be good for Keane though, who hasn’t had a serious challenger for his place in some while. Holgate’s form might give him the motivation he needs to up his own game.

Mina has been so confident and composed that when fit he is easily first-choice, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top when Holgate and Keane duke it out for the remaining spot.