Holgate Vows To 'Stand Up Strong' For Everton

Mason Holgate says he will always "stand up strong" for Everton - and the defender is relishing the prospect of helping his Club reach its ambitious long-term targets after signing a fresh five-year contract at Goodison Park.

Holgate has started 21 of Everton’s past 22 matches and established himself as a cornerstone of manager Carlo Ancelotti’s progressive team.

The 23-year-old, whose new deal ties him to Everton until at least June 2025, joins fellow Englishmen Jordan Pickford and Tom Davies and Brazilian attacker Richarlison in committing himself to the Club for an extended period.

Holgate claimed he’s made significant progress on and off the field since coming to Goodison from Barnsley in August 2015.

And the Yorkshireman wants to maintain that same direction of travel all the way towards landing the silverware which can lead to “bigger and better things” for Everton.

“It is a great Club to be at and I am really excited about it [new contract],” Holgate told evertontv.

“The progress we’ve made in my time here has been massive.

“Things are improving and changing in every area.

“This is my fifth year at Everton and my development as a person and player in that period has been huge.

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05:52

HOLGATE ON REASONS FOR PLEDGING FUTURE TO EVERTON

Defender set for Blues stay until at least summer 2025.


“It is definitely a positive time to be at Everton and I am looking forward to seeing how far we can go.

“I want to win things.

“The direction the Club is going, winning some silverware is where I see us.

“Then moving onto the next step and pushing for bigger and better things.

“I want to be part of a team that is moving forwards and to win things.

“The experience of the manager and the players he’s worked with is incredible.

“To have the faith of someone like that and be able to learn from somebody like that is massive.”


Holgate began a match in the Premier League for the 50th time when Everton played at Arsenal last month and added a 51st start against Manchester United on Sunday.

He has won rave reviews for his performances this term and proved immovable from the middle of Everton’s defence following his recall to the team back in October.

Ancelotti is a confirmed fan and has picked the player for all bar one of his matches in charge – a game against Crystal Palace last month when Holgate was rested.

The centre-back is consistently and widely lauded for an enviable range of attributes, his composure, agility, speed and capacity to read the game, among them.

He wins full marks with Evertonians, too, for his on-pitch attitude.

“Me, personally – and I think I can speak for the rest of the boys – we are not going to get pushed over and walked all over,” said Holgate.

“If something is happening or needs to be said, we need to stand up strong and be part of that.

“It is not something I am scared to do.

“I want to win football games, not be the friend of someone I am playing against.

“[I am] sticking up for Everton as a team.

“Not only that, they are my friends, the rest of the boys.

“So if one of my friends is in an argument… we are there to win, not to make friends, not to be nice.

“If they [opponents] don’t like us, they don’t like us.

“We are there to win a game.”

Holgate made his first-team debut for the Club against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of 2016/17 but was sparingly used in his opening two campaigns with the senior team.

The former England Under-21 player nevertheless remained steadfast in his belief he would get his break with Everton.

And Holgate used a successful loan in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion last term as the springboard to advance with Everton.

The Blues’ progression this season does not qualify as seamless but Holgate insists the setbacks experienced by a predominantly young squad will prove over time to be for the greater good.

Additionally, he reckons the rough ride which preceded Everton’s tremendous run of form under caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson and then Italian trophy-gatherer Ancelotti was responsible for forging a bond between players and supporters which is tightening by the week.

“There have been a lot of highs and lows this season, lots of unexpected things, and when the low things have happened it has helped everybody get together,” said Holgate.

“Fans, team and staff.

“It’s brought us all close and you could see when Dunc came in, everyone got together.

On fixing himself as one of the key performers in Everton’s team, Holgate added: “It is something I have always believed [he owned the ability to be an important player for Everton].

“I have put all my life into playing football.

“It is not something new to me

“It is something I believe I can do and always had the ability to do.

“I never doubted it even when things weren’t going so well.

“I thought it would come in time and with developing and getting strong in my body.

“Hopefully now all that is coming together.”