In what is essentially his breakthrough season, the situation surrounding Luke Garbutt is somewhat uncertain. Despite his impressive appearances deputising at left back at various points this season, it appears that we are still some way off reaching an agreement for a contract extension, meaning the former Leeds man will be free to leave the club in the summer. All the noises from within the club suggest both parties are keen to reach an agreement, but the fact we’re only two months away from the end of the season and nothing has been concluded is slightly concerning.
We’ve been here before, of course. Dan Gosling left the club in 2010 after he failed to honour a “gentleman’s agreement” over a new contract. The fact he was under 24 at the time and we failed to offer him a contract in writing meant we missed out on compensation, probably something in the region of £4m. Hopefully we have learnt the lessons from that debacle and we will see not repeat here.
For what it’s worth, I’ve heard rumours we have offered him a contract, but nowhere near the terms Garbutt is after. That is just a rumour, but would it certainly wouldn’t be surprising. Garbutt is probably after a more senior role in the first team, understandably, and wants assurances over the amount of games he will get, and then would want a salary to reflect that.
The problem for Luke is that left-back is probably our strongest position, in terms of strength in depth. As well as first choice Leighton Baines, Bryan Oviedo has proven a more than capable option in that position. So how can Garbutt get sufficient game time? Martinez has spoken in the past about moving Baines into a central midfield role, similar to what Guardiola has done with Philip Lahm. Could that be a way to open up more opportunities to Garbutt? Possibly. Another option could be to play on the left of midfield. However, personally, I think Garbutt’s strength is running from deep, and pushing him further forward would negate this to a certain extent.
All in all, it would be a massive shame if he were to leave the club. Although he was bought from Leeds United, prompting Ken Bates to brand us a “two-bob” club, he has been developed and nurtured at Finch Farm to the point where, to all intents and purposes, he is one of our own. He’s done his time out on loan in the lower leagues and his obvious potential means he could prove to be a long term replacement for Baines. Much has been made of Barkley and Stones as being the future of Everton and England, and although he has arrived a little later to the party in terms of age compared to those two, I’d like to throw Garbutt into the bracket as well. There will no doubt be plenty of suitors for him if he leaves. Liverpool have been linked, as well as Southampton and Villa. I’d like to think we are doing all we can to keep him at the club though, because, at the very least, he can take a decent corner…
