Phil Jagielka and Romelu Lukaku were rewarded for fine European campaigns by being nominated in WhoScored.com’s Europa League team of the season.
After a shaky start, Phil Jagielka rediscovered his solidity, influence and form to enjoy an impressive season and win Player of the Year and Goal of the Season. There’s no doubt the captain is one of Everton’s most important players and he illustrated this in Europe as well as the league. Jagielka, who scored two goals, helped the team keep clean sheets on tough European away nights at Wolfsburg and Lille, posting a thoroughly decent rating of 7.62 in the process
Teammate Lukaku ended the tournament as joint top scorer with 8 goals in 9 appearances, including a goal of the tournament contender at Dynamo Kiev, a hat-trick away at Young Boys and an all important goal at Wolfsburg.
The hat-trick at Young Boys was especially impressive as it was probably Lukaku’s best performance of the season. He could have had 5 or 6 goals and truly ran the Swiss side ragged. A physical presence, constantly involved and driving Everton on from all angles; this performance showed what potential he has. 8 goals in 9 games, as well as 2 assists, is no small feat and the Belgian definitely merited his place in the team.
