Sky Sports reporter Johnny Phillips has admitted on the All Together Now podcast that he wouldn’t trust Conor Coady to play as a full-back for Everton.
The Toffees appear to have kicked their summer business well and truly into gear over the last few weeks, having seen Dwight McNeil, Coady and Amadou Onana all arrive at Goodison Park, which makes Frank Lampard’s side look a lot better, at least on paper.
Coady is perhaps the most interesting one given his age and Premier League experience, but also his sudden exclusion from Bruno Lage’s Wolves side this season as they transition from last season’s preferred back three to a back four.
Wolves supporter Phillips was asked where and how he could see Coady fitting into Everton’s backline, and despite having played as a full-back in the past, Phillips wouldn’t be confident seeing him play there for Everton.
He said: “He can adjust to four at the back. When he was first signed, he found himself playing in midfield, but this was back in the Championship under Kenny Jackett, and then under Paul Lambert, he played at full-back a bit. I think when they won at Liverpool in the FA Cup, famously in 2017, he played full-back that day.
Will Coady be a success at Everton?
Yes!
No!
“It was only under Nuno [Espirito Santo] that he found his position as a sweeper, so he can move around, but I wouldn’t trust him, particularly in the Premier League as a full-back, and I don’t think he would want to play there.”
TIF Thoughts on Coady joining Everton…
There were murmurings and worries at Wolves, which were expressed by Molineux News, that Coady was not suited to a back four, and that was seemingly only emphasised back in 2021 when Coady looked ‘uncomfortable’ in a back four as Wolves were beaten by rivals West Brom.
It will have been something that crossed Lampard’s mind before making the move for Coady, however, that Everton’s success last season under the English boss came when they played with three centre-backs, and that’s what they’ve started this season with, so it would make sense to continue with that formation and allow Coady to thrive.
However, the question will remain as to why Wolves were willing to let him leave despite being their club captain, having a boatload of experience and still being on the better side of 30. Although, time will only tell if this proves to be a great decision from either Everton or Wolves.
Face it, he’s great at spreading 40 yard passes and very vocal but he’s a crap defender, Kilman and Boly supported him making him look good but how many times has he cost us points