Leighton Baines is one of the best runners in Premier League history. The giants wanted him, but he dedicated his life to his beloved Everton

Leighton Baines is an undisputed legend. His performances have made him one of the best ever runners in the history of the Premier League. In his youth he tried to make it at Everton, unfortunately unsuccessfully. However, he managed to return to his beloved club and dedicated his entire career to it.

He didn’t make it through Everton’s academy until Wigan

Leighton Baines is now a household name. But when he was young, it didn’t look like a great career for a long time. He was born near Liverpool, so it was logical that football was in his blood from an early age. But there was a catch. He was a shy introvert and his lack of incisiveness didn’t help either.

His parents tried to get him into the academies of both Liverpool’s big clubs, Liverpool and Everton. But he failed at either. His last chance at professional football was also at nearby Wigan, which at the time was renowned as a great base for talent.

It was Leighton’s grandfather’s idea to try out for a traditional club. He brought him to training and no sooner had he been seen by coach David Crompton than he was sorted. Baines’ place at Wigan was secure and his career took a new and clear direction.

But the talented Englishman had been a Toffees fan since he was nine years old. It was 1995 when he attended the FA Cup final, where Everton beat Manchester United. It was then that a love affair was born that continues to this day.

He made his debut in a Wigan Athletic jersey at the age of 17. He broke into the starting line-up quite early and helped the club to promotion to the Premier League in the 2004/05 season. He scored his first goal there, and as would later become typical, it was a long range shot.

However, instead of celebrating promotion, Baines had other things on his mind. And that was his future. Despite being wanted by the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton as early as 2005, he was doubtful of his qualities and ability to play in the Premier League.

He was worried that he would spend the season on the bench. However, this did not happen. He was a key part of Wigan’s bid to stay in the league. He managed two seasons, gained experience, scored three league goals and then moved on. He was bought out by Everton for €7.5m in 2007.

Baines played 158 competitive games for the Latics, scoring 4 goals and adding 1 assist.

A legend of talent, Baines turned down even Sir Alex Ferguson

When Leighton Baines signed for his beloved club, he was still only 22 years old. He was an England youth international and a wonderful story began to be written. The only blemish seems to be the fact that the Toffees didn’t accept him at a young age.

In his first season under David Moyes, he only struggled for a place and was plagued by health problems, but by the second he was a steady member of the starting line-up and had developed into a mainstay, captain and one of the best left backs in the Premier League.

He was able to grind down the left flank like few others. In addition to his defensive duties, he also managed to fulfil offensive ones, playing standard situations brilliantly and notching up exhibition goals in addition to a good number of assists.

It was no wonder that bigger and more successful clubs were interested in him. Sir Alex Ferguson, for example, saw him as an adequate replacement for Patrice Evra. But Baines didn’t take up the offer.

“I am flattered by the association of my name with Manchester United. I certainly don’t mind that it’s being discussed and that people are speculating about it. It’s a great club. But I’m already at a great club. Aclub I love,” he told The Guardian in 2012.

Despite his great qualities, Baines has managed not to have a big ego. He was humble, honest, a heartthrob. A proper captain and leader. So when he got older and performance wasn’t at its peak, he had no problem letting others take his place. On the contrary, he mentored, set an example. And he did that until 2020, when he retired.

Unfortunately, he didn’t win anything in a Toffees jersey, but his stats are more than solid. He played 420 competitive games, scored 39 goals and added 67 assists.

After the end of his career, Baines still held the record as the defender with the most assists in the Premier League for a while. He collected 52, but was recently surpassed by Liverpool star Andrew Robertson.

Only three players in Everton’s history have played more games for the club than him. But no one has more assists.

Will he one day be the Toffees’ coach?

Back when he was a player at Everton, there was talk that he could make a good coach. It was predicted, for example, by former Tottenham or Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who believes he will one day take over the Toffees’ A-team.

And the prediction may indeed come true. Just two months into his career, he has been appointed as Everton’s professional development coach at the academy. His contribution has been recognised by Under-23 coach David Unsworth, who has expressed great confidence in Baines.

The 30-time England international, who has also played at the World Cup, will lead the Under-18 team from the summer of 2022. At 38, he still has everything ahead of him.

Source: Everton FC, Transfermarkt, The Guardian