Some Everton fans have been discussing whether Marco Silva should recall Seamus Coleman to his starting line-up at Brighton & Hove Albion over Djibril Sidibe.
Sidibe earned his first start in the Premier League last weekend (TransferMarkt) as Silva was forced to change his starting right-back against West Ham United, in the absence of the suspended Coleman.
Silva was without his captain for the Hammers encounter after the Republic of Ireland defender was sent off for two reckless fouls at Burnley prior to the international break (Daily Mail), which was his first red card since 2011.
Coleman was issued a caution by referee Graham Scott shortly before half-time at Turf Moor when his follow-through caught Erik Pieters on the right shin, and was given his marching orders just 11 minutes after the break when he jumped into Dwight McNeil by the halfway line.
Sidibe stepped up in Coleman’s enforced absence against the Hammers to win over some Everton fans, as he won four of his six tackles, penned one clearance and one interception, and delivered one key ball amid his 34 accurate passes, per WhoScored data.
Coleman had been averaging 0.9 successful tackles per ninety in the top-flight this season, along with 1.1 interceptions, 1.2 clearances, and had turned over possession 2.2 times through unsuccessful touches.
Toffees supporters are now hoping Silva does not change his line-up for their trip to Brighton at the weekend, as it’s ‘not even a debate’ that Sidibe should start over Coleman.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Never change a winning team Coleman on the bench simple as that .
— phil knight (@phil_spudhead) October 23, 2019
Sidibe
— Kev Cooper (@kevcooper4195) October 23, 2019
love seamus but always believe you should not change a winning side
— paul hollis (@paulhollis2) October 23, 2019
Same 11 as the starting line up against West Ham
— @ TAXI CLUB FC (@TaxiClubFc) October 23, 2019
Don’t change a thing.
— Watched Toffee (@WatchedToffee) October 23, 2019
Not even a debate sidibe all day long no room in football for sentiment
— fred durst (@FredBluedog) October 23, 2019
The reason why fans have called for Silva not to hand his captain an instant recall now that he is available, is because some supporters see Coleman as a ‘liability’.
As well as being sent off against Burnley, Coleman struggled to make an impact on proceedings before being replaced by Theo Walcott when Everton were beaten at home by Sheffield United (Liverpool Echo), and was involved in a heated moment with Joshua King when the Toffees lost at Bournemouth.
Coleman was not cautioned for the incident with King, but the episode was just one of multiple flashpoints between the pair.
Can’t see how Coleman gets back in atm to be fair when he’s a liability
— Matthew Allcroft (@Mattallcroft83) October 24, 2019
Yet while fans would prefer Sidibe to start on the south coast, one Everton supporter has shared that they ‘fully’ expect Silva to recall Coleman regardless, given he is the Blues’ captain.
The 5 ft 8 right-back has played in each Premier League game on offer to his this season, and made 29 outings in the top-flight last term (TransferMarkt).
No changes for me which means Sidibe SHOULD keep his place. However, Coleman is the captain and I fully expect Silva to reinstate him.
— AW1878 (@AW18781) October 23, 2019