OPINION
Everton midfielder James McCarthy has returned from a long-term injury, so his first team chances are going to be rather limited at the moment.
Seeing as the Toffees have the likes of Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson in the midfield, the need to introduce McCarthy back into the fold is not absolutely paramount at the moment.
Marco Silva’s admission about the Republic of Ireland international, however, is actually rather bizarre.
He has already made it crystal clear that the 28-year-old will not be departing Goodison Park on loan this moment – but then said that he can give no assurances that he will be given regular game time.
Rather unfair, don’t you think?
“If you ask me what I want, I want James to be part of our squad. To answer directly to you,” he told the Echo.
“Even if it looks strange because he is not playing often or he is not making the squad list often, but if you ask me directly I will tell you it is something I want, for him to be part of the squad until the end of the season and then let’s see in the future because he has a contract (beyond that).”
To not let someone leave temporarily with the aim of getting more minutes under their belt to then say they cannot promise match time is baffling.
Why is the point in taking such a stance? Silva must make an abrupt U-turn on the issue as soon as possible, as it is not helping anyone – especially McCarthy.
Being loaned out is the best thing he can do at this stage in his career, and it will prevent his talent being wasted and poured down the drain.
All the manager needs to do is stop being selfish, and think about how sitting on the sidelines would have a serious effect on the £50,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace’s ability.
He needs to be loaned out to convince Silva that he is worthy of a spot in the Everton starting XI imminently, or his career will go down the drain.