[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Phil Jagielka has spoken ahead of his return to Goodison Park about his pride in captaining Everton and also gave his view on his successor, Seamus Coleman.

What did he say?

The former England international returns to Everton on Saturday with the club he started his career at, Sheffield United, having spent 12 years on Merseyside, six of which were as captain.

Now 37, the centre-back has seen his game time reduce significantly - playing only two minutes in the Premier League so far - but his experience and leadership qualities are likely valuable to Chris Wilder in the Blades' dressing room.

It is such attributes which are lacking in the current Toffees side, as Gary Neville alluded to, but Jagielka is confident in Coleman's abilities to lead the team.

Speaking to Evertonfc.com, he said: "To captain the team was just another level. I never, ever took it for granted and it’s something I am immensely proud of.

"I never imagined that I would do that but as the years went on, I took more and more responsibility. That’s the way it’s happened for Seamus now. He has grown naturally into a leader."

Bearing responsibility

Everton have been criticised for a lack of leadership, and whilst there is a shortage of characters in the squad, Coleman stands out and leads by example, on and off the field.

The Irishman was called to lead the team in somewhat difficult circumstances. Jagielka departed and Leighton Baines has seen his first-team role diminish significantly, so there is suddenly a lack of leadership in the current side.

New signing Delph has shown he could step up to the plate, but other than him there aren't too many who lead by example and visibly offer encouragement to teammates.

Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Coleman, by contrast to the rest of the Everton squad, has been described as an "inspirational figure" by Mick McCarthy, and therefore it is not just his playing ability that would be missed if he was unavailable.

The 30-year-old knows the club better than most having joined in 2009. He understands the fans and their likely frustration at Everton continuing to play below a level they're capable of, and having the backing of a figure like Jagielka says a lot about the right-back's influence.