Everton’s lavish summer spending last year including the capture of defender Michael Keane from Burnley.

The former Manchester United centre-back was linked to numerous clubs, but the blue half of Merseyside managed to secure his signature.

Throughout the season, things have not gone entirely to plan, and manager Ronald Koeman paid for it when he was sacked by the club in October.

Sam Allardyce took over a few weeks later, but the supporters are not satisfied with the experienced coach and many want him out.

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In defence, the Toffees have numerous options, including Keane, Ashley Williams, Mason Holgate and Phil Jagielka.

Keane has divided opinion among the Everton faithful during the season, but now Jagielka has revealed what his defensive partner has been doing behind the scenes to improve.

While speaking to the club's official website, the Toffees’ experienced defender claimed that he has been helping Keane be more vocal at the back.

“With Michael [Keane], he is quite a quiet lad and I have openly said, ‘Shout at me, shout at someone else, no-one is taking anything personally, we need to know where everyone is’, and I think that is something he has in him. At the start of his career here we had a few difficult periods so it was probably natural go into your shell a little bit.

“But I am encouraging him to be himself and be a boss at the back – whether you are a loud person on or off the pitch, when you are on the pitch you need to pass on information. It is getting that way and we have had some lively discussions on the pitch which is brilliant. That is testament to him.”

Since November, when Jagielka and Keane have been partnered at the back, Everton have kept two clean sheets and conceded four goals.