Exclusive: Phil Jagielka backing Beto to make a big impact at Everton in the Premier League

Former Everton and Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka is backing Beto to make a positive impact at Goodison Park following his £30 million transfer from Udinese.

Beto got off to a dream start with a goal on his debut in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Doncaster, and Jagielka feels the striker could give manager Sean Dyche a much-need focal point in his attack.

Jagielka, who will appear as part of TNT Sports' coverage of Saturday's match, said: “It made a massive difference when Beto came on as a physical option up front.

“He made a couple mistakes with a few bad touches, but he looks a threat. He looked like he was causing their defence problems, which is what Everton have been crying out for when Dom [Dominic Calvert-Lewin] has not been fit.

“Now he’s got to play against Premier League goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders, because, no disrespect to Doncaster, they’re not in the same league as the people he’ll be coming up against week in, week out.

“He’s a specimen and even if he doesn’t have a massive goal tally, he’ll hopefully keep the defenders busy enough so all other players like [Neal] Maupay can be more creative and find those pockets of space.”

In front of the TNT Sports cameras on Saturday, Everton face a Sheffield United side who have also been struggling for goals - and have recently signed Cameron Archer from Aston Villa to help fill the void left by Iliman Ndiaye's departure to Marseille.

Jagielka is excited by Archer’s arrival at Bramall Lane and believes his exploits while on loan at Middlesbrough last season and for England’s Under-21s means he will relish making the step up to the Premier League.

“Hecky [Paul Heckingbottom, Blades manager] will want a goalscorer and someone that will take a chance when he gets it," Jagielka said. “He’s proven that, not only for Middlesbrough last year, but even in the summer for England’s Under-21s.

“They’ve had someone like that for many years in Iliman and Sharpie [Billy Sharp]. That's what they've built their success on.

“They had a player that can get at least double figures in terms of goals. Obviously, the Premier League is a bit more difficult than the Championship, but that's what they'll need if they want to stay up this season.”

The former England defender looked in more detail at Saturday’s Premier League clash between the two sides at Bramall Lane – a game you can watch live on TNT Sports.

Jagielka said: “It’s a difficult one for me because I want both teams to get some points.

"I think both teams will be looking at it knowing it's a big game to win, but a disastrous game to lose. So, I think a draw could be a pretty good shout. I don't think there'll be loads and loads of goals, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

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Sheffield United v Everton will be live on TNT Sports 1 from 12.00 BST on Saturday, September 2.

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