Given everything Evertonians know about Leighton Baines, an understated retirement from football was always on the cards. But even the left-back himself would’ve been disappointed with how the curtain came down on his career on this day four years ago.
Baines is arguably the closest thing have to a modern-day legend. He spent 13 years as a Blue and played a massive 420 games. During those outings he set a standard for excellence, consistency and class. Of his 39 goals, the majority were pearlers.In the era, there have not been many better left-backs. Ashley Cole was naturally the standard-bearer for his imperious performances for Chelsea, Arsenal and England. But beyond him, there’s a fair argument to make that Baines is the best.
So had Evertonians been able to celebrate the great career of one of their recent greats, then they would’ve done. Baines would not have necessarily wanted it, naturally. But there would’ve been tears, embraces and waves to the Gwladys Street. It did not play out in that way.
At 35, the defender played his last game for the Toffees during the Covid pandemic, against AFC Bournemouth on July 26, 2020.
Before the game supporters were aware that he had been offered a one-year contract extension, although no news of an agreement had emerged. So when Carlo Ancelotti brought him on as a substitute late on against the Cherries, it felt like it might be the end.
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