Greg O’Keeffe has admitted on the All Together Now podcast that he can envisage Seamus Coleman starting for Everton.
The Toffees are certainly looking at an overhaul of their squad this summer, with several players being released from their contracts as well as Richarlison departing. However, on the incoming front, it is still looking very worrying.
Everton have only brought in James Tarkowski, which is a solid addition, though an area that has needed improving and addressing for years is right back, with an ageing Coleman very rarely having sufficient competition or cover.
Nathan Patterson was signed in January but wasn’t handed a single league minute last term, which has led O’Keeffe to suggest Coleman could be Everton’s right-back at the start of the season once again.
Will Everton sign a new right back?
Yes!
No!
He said: “You’d have to look at it at the moment and say we still haven’t really brought in [a new right-back] – well, let’s have a look how Nathan Patterson goes in pre-season, but there’s still nothing that’s convinced me that Seamus Coleman won’t be starting a lot of those new games.”
TIF Thoughts on Coleman’s Everton future…
It is quite amazing that Everton are still relying on Seamus Coleman to be their starting right-back over the course of the season and have been for years – especially last campaign, which saw him start 30 league games, which was the most for him since the 2014/15 campaign.
Coleman, who is valued at £2.7 million (as per Transfermarkt), has been a simply amazing servant for Everton, having only cost them £63,000 and thus far racked up 383 appearances across all competitions. However, if the Toffees are to progress back up the Premier League, they can’t be having a 33-year-old playing in such a crucial position that often sees him come up against quick and tricky wingers.