Former Everton player Graeme Sharp believes that the Toffees defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, and was hopeful that he would be able make an impression in the upcoming European Championships.
The 27-year old was the linchpin of Everton’s rearguard in the 2011/12 campaign, as he helped his side keep 12 clean sheets in the entire season. He made 42 appearances for the Merseyside club during the term and also scored 5 goals.
His impressive performance with Everton was enough to catch the attention of the newly appointed England manager Roy Hodgson who named him in his 23-man squad for the Euro 2012 tournament next month.
Even though the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Heitinga-c18862 earlier in the month, Sharp felt that Baines had been the star performer for the Reds over the last year and termed him the best left-back in England.
He told the club’s official website, “He's Mr Consistency. He played so many games on the run and, over the year, he was incredible - without doubt for me the best left back in the country.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sylvain-Distin-c34430, another defender in the Toffees outfit, received the Player’s Player of the Season accolade and the Scott indicated that it did not come as a surprise to him that the defenders ran away with all the club awards in the previous season.
The Toffees, who boost one of the best defences in the Premier League, gave away just 40 goals during their previous league campaign. Only Manchester City and Manchester United conceded lesser goals than them.
Sharp continued, “In the earlier part of the season, the defenders had to be at their best. We weren't scoring goals so there was more pressure on them and it's only right they were involved in the awards.”
He also ratified Hodgson’s decision of including Baines in the national squad and believed that he was one of the most consistent players in the Premier League.
He also backed the defender to come up good in the European Championships.
He added, “Hopefully he stays fit and goes to the Euros now because it's no less than he deserves.”
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