Everton news: Whelan lambasts ‘brainless’ Michael Keane and claims teammates ‘afraid’
Noel Whelan has suggested Everton players are “afraid” as their fight against relegation intensifies.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Michael Keane is just one of a number of Toffees stars to fall foul of a “massive” regression this season.
Keane, 29, was shown a second yellow card after two desperate lunges either side of half-time as Everton lost 2-1 away at West Ham yesterday (3 April).
Speaking on talkSPORT post-match, former Arsenal ace Perry Groves branded the 12-cap England international “brainless”.
Everton remain three points clear of the drop zone ahead of a relegation six-pointer against Burnley on Wednesday (6 April) – a game Keane will sit out through suspension.
Whelan suggested the defender has lost “focus and belief” in himself.
“Michael Keane has gone from playing for England after some great Premier League performances… to this,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“It looks like he’s taken a massive step back.
“That is what losing and a lack of confidence can do to a player. You lose that focus and that belief in yourself.
“And it’s rubbing off all over the field. These players are looking afraid of the scrap. The pressure is mounting, and it’s getting the better of these Everton players.”
Keane has made 26 appearances for Everton this season and even captained the side during yesterday’s loss.
The Toffees have won just once away from home all season – the worst record in England’s top four divisions.
In other news, Everton and Aston Villa make up minds on Anwar El Ghazi future.