- Michael Keane has been a defender reborn under the leadership of David Moyes
- The 33-year-old has been a key part of the Everton defence this season and has 3 goals to his name
- Keane is set to be offered a new deal to remain at the Toffees
Michael Keane has been quick to deflect the credit toward his manager. Reflecting on his revitalised form and newfound consistency at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the defender’s verdict is simple: “That’s all down to him.”
Keane is set to complete his ninth season at Everton and has found his feet again since the reintroduction of David Moyes as manager.
In the last three seasons he has not been able to gain more than 20 league apperances in each individual campaign, but 2025-26 has been a different story for the 33-year-old.
With 27 Premier League apperances to his name as well as three goals, the defender is very much back in the main picture for the Toffees.
It was announced Keane is set to be offered a new deal by Everton as Moyes looks to consolidate his centre half options, and the England international will be happy to remain with the Scotsman.
Michael Keane: ‘He’s put a lot of faith in me’
Amognst the relegation battles of the past two seasons, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite have been one of the few positives.
But the absence of Branthwaite at the start of this season handed the opportunity for Keane to stake his claim in the Everton side once again, and he has impressed.
Since returning in January 2025, Moyes has turned Everton from relegation candidates to European challengers. He famously defended Keane earlier this year, labeling a red card for hair-pulling against Wolves as “ridiculous.”
In an interview with The Unholy Trinity Podcast, Keane made his praise for Moyes clear and admitted he has left him surprised.
He said: “It think he’s been amazing.
“He’s such a good person. I think everyone in the squad loves him as a person first and foremost.
“When it comes to the football side, I never realised how hard he works. He’s obsessed with football, the amount of detail he goes into when it comes to tactics, the day before a game.
“There’s so much we go through and that’s all down to him.
“And he’s been really good for me as well, obviously. He’s put a lot of faith in me, and I like to think I’ve repaid that this season.”
In a defence that has taken numerous forms due to suspensions and injuries, Keane has helped Everton to record 11 clean sheets in the league this season – leaving them joint second with Manchester City.
Keeping Michael Keane only makes Everton more stable
After rejuvenating his career at Everton, Keane deserves a contract renewal purely down to his performances.
But should Moyes’ men secure European football for next season, the decision to renew Keane’s contract will look even better.
The step up to the European level means Everton will have to strengthen their depth due to the tightly packed schedule that comes with entering another competition.
In 2014-15 and 2017-18 – the last two seasons Everton were in Europe – lack of depth was evident and it lead to lacklustre campaigns both abroad and domestically.
Having Keane tied down means one less headache when concering recruitment in the summer, and allows the Toffees to allocate resources to other areas of the pitch that will need more attention.
