Everton may be enduring a pretty torrid spell at the moment, only adding to their woeful trophy drought, yet they have still managed to forge a few heroes over the last few decades.
After all, before Farhad Moshiri came in, this was an institution cemented in the Premier League, unlikely to ever challenge for elite honours, but similarly never expected to succumb to the drop either.
New ownership changed that, disrupting their solidity in an effort to reach for the stars.
Instead, all they have found is more misery.
Evertonians remain as loyal as ever though, and at times, in an effort to drag themselves through the tougher periods, reminiscing about the brief moments of pleasure enjoyed across recent years brings some comfort.
Naturally, when conversations about the club’s best recent players emerge, Leighton Baines is at the forefront. He has now been tipped to lace back up his boots once again.
Phil Jagielka tips Leighton Baines to come out of retirement
The suggestion that this mercurial left-back might come out of retirement came from Phil Jagielka’s lips, with the former Everton defender, who actually shared 12 years at Goodison Park with Baines, speaking on Sky Sports last Saturday.
Seeking to laud Iliman Ndiaye, he couldn’t help but imagine the partnership the Senegal intentional might have struck up with his former teammate.
As such, he theorised: ‘Maybe if Bainesey can get his boots on we can have a little…’.
Izzy Christiansen would interject, noting: ‘Apparently he’s still match-fit!’
Jagielka repled: ’I’m not surprised, he’s a machine Bainesey. But he’d probably underplay it like he always used to when he played and blah blah blah but… maybe Sean [Dyche] will give him a ring and see if he can play next week.’
Clearly full of wisdom as well as talent, Anthony Gordon revealed the advice Baines once gave him which he remembers to this day, another reason why his return could be welcomed.
Everton hero Leighton Baines remains criminally underrated
This notion refers to the rest of the footballing world, rather than Evertonians, who are well aware of the talent that Baines possessed and frequently showed throughout his time in royal blue.
Never really in the conversation for the best left-backs in Premier League history, it’s staggering how nobody else seems to remember just how good the 39-year-old was at his peak, more than just a solid standard full-back.
In fact, during the 2012-13 season, it was noted that Baines created a staggering 116 chances for his teammates across that campaign, adding to his five goals already with unbridled creativity.
He was arguably the best modern-day full-back before they became as popular as they are nowadays, yet he is never put alongside Ashley Cole or even Patrice Evra at times, inexplicably so.
Baines should not be snubbed from these conversations due to his loyalty to a lesser team, and if his fitness levels are still as high as some suggest, perhaps he could re-emerge from retirement to help the club that loves him so much and add another notch to his sparkling career.
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