Phil Jagielka’s Everton renaissance has been driven by a change in mentality, Ronald Koeman believes.
Jagielka was a peripheral figure for the Blues this season but is now enjoying a fresh vein of form since being recalled for last month’s visit of West Brom.
Since then, the England defender has featured in a further three successive games and opened the scoring in Tuesday’s draw with Manchester United.
And Koeman feels that Everton captain Jagielka has benefited from a different approach since his marginalisation period earlier in the campaign.
He said: “Phil had a difficult time when he was not playing because it’s a different role.
“But I asked him still to be the captain of the team and I think he changed his mentality in that.
“Of course he’s normally still disappointed if he’s not starting.
“I think he’s showing at the moemnt that he’s still a really strong and good defender for the team.”