Jose Baxter says he wasn't surprised ex-teammate Shkodran Mustafi left Everton as a junior.

Arsenal signing Mustafi left Everton in 2012 after just one appearance to join Italian side Sampdoria.

Spanish giants Valencia came calling two years later and he has gone from strength to strength since leaving Goodison Park.

"I wasn't surprised when he left Everton really," Baxter told ITV.

"He wasn't really playing, and I think he got to the age where he thought I want to get out and start playing games and not sitting around doing nothing.

"That was the kind of lad he was, so I wasn't surprised when he left, but it was good thing that he left and obviously go on to go where he's gone."