Everton Stadium has today released an artist’s impression of what the home dressing room will look like when finished.
Phil Jagielka, a former captain of the Blues, believes that Everton Stadium will be a “special” place for both players and fans.
The recently-retired defender was this week shown the emerging home dressing room, which remains a work in progress at the Club’s new waterfront home.
And Jagielka, who played at Goodison from 2007 to 2019, thinks that the new facilities will help Everton get to the next level.
He said:
“It’s amazing. I’ve seen a lot of footage, but not been able to get here until now and it’s going to be something special. Totally different, but very special!
“The dressing room here looks a bit different than that one we’ve been used to at Goodison, so this is fantastic and what they are able to do here, with the facilities, brings Everton to the place it needs to be.
“Squads have got bigger now, not only on the pitch but also the coaching staff.
“Hopefully you choose a neighbour who is around for a while too, but when you have a really nice home dressing room and your own little space, there’s nothing nicer than coming in with your washbag and seeing your shirt hung up!”
Located in the centre of the west stand, the spacious and circular changing area has been strategically planned to enhance team unity and inclusivity.
It has a sizable central island, a plethora of technological tools to support the management group, and a substantial increase in space for other uses, like physical therapy and the team doctor.
An additional significant improvement over the cosy confines of the current dressing room at Goodison is the accompanying hydrotherapy pool to aid in recovery.
The 52,888-seat stadium has the “wow factor,” according to the former England international, who made 385 appearances for the Toffees, after taking a stroll through the payers’ tunnel and entering the bowl of Everton’s future home.
He said:
“I was excited to come here and couldn’t fathom how much it had evolved from nothing, but the size of it is breathtaking.
“We’ve all been itching to get here, as quickly as possible while, at the same extent, not really wanting to leave Goodison.
“But if everything is going to be as it looks, it’s going to be an amazing place to call home and, hopefully, somewhere we can build good memories.”
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