---
title: "Everton: Garth Crooks lauds Mason Holgate after recent Toffees performances"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-garth-crooks-lauds-mason-holgate-after-recent-toffees-performances/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Everton"
published: "2019-12-30T21:20:58Z"
modified: "2019-12-30T21:20:58Z"
---

# Everton: Garth Crooks lauds Mason Holgate after recent Toffees performances

**BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has heaped praise on Everton’s Mason Holgate after the defender helped to steer his side to successive victories over the Christmas period.**

\[freshpress-poll id=”268685″\]

Carlo Ancelotti has overseen a perfect start as Everton boss with a brace of wins at home to Burnley and away at Newcastle – with Holgate [playing every minute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mason-holgate/leistungsdaten/spieler/348623).

In selecting Holgate for his Team of the Week segment for [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50940435), Crooks hailed the 23-year-old’s performances over the last few days, highlighting his versatility and ability to nullify the threat of the towering Andy Carroll.

He said: “The Everton youngster is looking like the real deal these days. The defender was part of a superb defensive display against Burnley and was inspirational away at Newcastle. This young man can play anywhere across the back-four and did so brilliantly twice in a matter of 48 hours. He also kept Andy Carroll quiet for 90 minutes.”

Holgate has certainly become a key man for Everton over the last few weeks and months, featuring in each of the club’s [last 13 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mason-holgate/leistungsdaten/spieler/348623) in all competitions.

Indeed, he has taken up a number of positions during that time, including when filling in at right-back against [Watford](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mason-holgate/leistungsdaten/spieler/348623) back in August, while he stepped out of his usual centre-back role to good effect as he was named as Everton’s top performer as a defensive midfielder against Manchester United by [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1376298/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2019-2020-Manchester-United-Everton).

That he has helped Everton to go [five league games unbeaten](https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/everton-football-club/674/matches/) is another indication of the defender’s progress, while his versatility demonstrates the multi-faceted talent he possesses.

He is therefore more than worthy of a place in Crooks’ Premier League XI given his form, while his continuation in the side following the arrival of Ancelotti is arguably a further sign of his current value to the squad – so the future looks pretty bright for the Toffees defender.

***Everton fans, is Holgate set to become a starter for the long-term future? Let us know what you think below!***