Having recently been loaned out to Everton from Manchester City for the remainder of the season, there are fears in the Goodison Park camp that the French defender could be out with a ligament injury for the time period of his loan. Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup last month by local neighbors Liverpool in the third round and are therefore enjoying a mini break at Dubai. It is not all smiling for the Toffees as the recent reports claim that Mangala has probably played his last game for them.
The 27-year-old defender joined Everton on loan on transfer deadline day after Manchester City signed another one of Mangala’s national compatriot Aymeric Laporte from Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao. Laporte’s addition to the squad meant there was no room for Mangala and City boss Pep Guardiola decided not to let the centre-back sit on the bench for the remainder of the season and instead play regular football elsewhere.
And Everton boss Sam Allardyce was quick to let Mangala make his debut for the Merseyside club as he started for Everton against Arsenal in an away game. It was not the best of starts for Mangala, as the Gunners ran riot at the Emirates smashing their visitors 5-1. Mangala was then allowed to start last week as well against Crystal Palace but was forced off with the first half of the game due to a knee injury.
Although Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-1, the injury concern for Mangala painted a grey sky on a joyous night at Goodison Park. And within less than 120 minutes of football for the Toffees, Mangala may have to close out his career at Everton.
A scan which was done on Mangala’s knee injury revealed that there were further issues for the central defender as he could possibly miss the remainder of the season due to a ligament damage. This has come as a huge blow to Everton, who have not had an overwhelming campaign so far despite spending a lot on transfers in the past two transfer windows.
Mangala may not be able to help Everton achieve their targets this season on the field and would be a waste for the club this season. But by the end of this season, Mangala will have just 12 months remaining on his Manchester City contract as well, so he cannot even prove his worth to Guardiola if the Blue side of Manchester is willing to offer him a new deal later on.
Manchester City brought in Mangala to the Etihad Stadium in 2014, and he was loaned to Valencia last season after Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones were Pep’s first choice centre-back partnership. But injuries to Stones and club captain Vincent Kompany this season allowed Mangala to make 15 valuable appearances for City boss Guardiola, who was grateful for the Frenchman’s contributions.
However, Mangala may now face a serious race against time to play for Everton again as a serious injury looms over the former Porto man. Is this going to be the end of the career of the Defender- We have to wait and watch.
