Michael Keane has enjoyed quite the turnaround this season, after years of struggling to endear himself to the Everton faithful.
Brought in for a mouth-watering club-record fee back in 2017, the 31-year-old has been thrown into numerous systems under various managers.
With each change in the dugout came mass overhaul, before financial restrictions eventually crippled the club and brought about a truly dark era.
Through no fault of his own, Michael Keane has overseen this dreadful period, and wilted under the pressure.
And whilst he is hardly stealing the show now, at last we are seeing a stronger, more confident side to the centre-back given his current run in the side.
Everton fans shout at Michael Keane ahead of Fulham game
In Everton’s latest iteration of Access Goodison, we were offered a glimpse into some behind-the-scenes footage as well as pitch-side pictures as the Fulham game went on.
However, whilst the varied angles of Beto’s late equaliser were appreciated, it was one interaction before the game that truly caught the eye.
After all, Keane was greeted by a handful of fans on his way into Goodison Park, with one first shouting: ‘Alright Keano, keep up the good work.’
Another called out: ’Good luck today mate. Goal of the season that mate,’ drawing a laugh from the former Burnley centre-back.
‘Try and score again today,’ was the final statement from a fan, to which the defender replied: ‘Yeah I’ll give it a go.’
Dyche gave him the best possible chance of doing so, when he played Keane at striker for the final few minutes of the match.
Michael Keane continues his good form for Everton
Whilst Everton played poorly on Saturday, Keane was one of few to leave Goodison Park with their dignity intact.
After all, he remained resolute at the back beside James Tarkowski, who endured another uncharacteristically shaky afternoon.
Meanwhile, his partner, who has often come under criticism across his seven years on Merseyside, was rock-solid before his eventual switch up front; a move well-received by those within the stadium.
He made five clearances, blocked one shot and put in a further three tackles, winning three of the four aerial duels he competed in, via Sofascore.
This came after he featured in Everton’s first back-to-back clean sheets since April, even scoring against Ipswich Town too.
This Keane resurgence has come at a perfect time for the Toffees, in the absence of Jarrad Branthwaite.
Ironically, if anyone is to make way for the young defensive superstar at this stage, it would be Tarkowski.
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