Why Seamus Coleman Should Stay At Everton

Photo credit: Simon Stacpoole / Daily Mail

An adroit employee, an impuissant employer and two football clubs as rich as Croesus vying for the coveted signature of the gifted employee; a perfect setting for an epic scramble in the January transfer window.

The protagonists in question here are Seamus Coleman (employee), Everton (employer) and the two clubs being Manchester United and Chelsea. After enjoying his best season as a professional footballer in Everton blue last year, the 26-year old right-back’s stock in the transfer market skyrocketed acclivitously. And, as the obvious tradition goes, a big bid from a heavyweight club beckoned.

After all, where do you find a footballer – a defender to be precise – who packs in versatility, industry and dedication like the Irish man does.

Even though David Moyes’ decade long reign at the helm of Goodison Park didn’t yield any trophies, it certainly brought along a plethora of seriously talented footballers purchased at paltry sums. One among those legion of cheaply purchased players was Seamus Coleman. Purchased at a paltry sum of 60,000 pounds, the then 21-year old full-back has been the Merseyside club’s most consistent performers over the past 18 months. Unfortunately though, he has exuded signs of regression so far this season.

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However, injuries have played an instrumental role in derailing Coleman’s campaign. And it’s not only the Irishman whose performed poorly this term. Each and every Evertonian has failed to pick up from where they left last season, with the defense performing abhorrently. Roberto Martinez’s tactics have been highly questionable and a lack of an alternative game-plan is blatantly evident.

Much has been spoken about a potential 20 million switch to Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge for Coleman, and, according to Bruce Archer of the Daily Star, Van Gaal believes that the Everton full-back fits into the formations he prefers comfortably. The Red Devils tried to prise Coleman away from Goodison Park in the summer, but failed to do so. However, this time around, it is believed that United are set to include a loan deal for Adnan Januzaj as a sweetener. Apart from the Old Trafford outfit, Chelsea are believed to have expressed an interest in the Killybegs native, and a move to London may well be on the cards too.

Given the kind of performances Coleman has been racking up this season, some section of fans at Goodison have been calling for a potential sale in the January transfer window. A sale would fetch a sizeable fee for Everton and therefore allow them to reinforce their faltering squad. Although, losing a player of Coleman’s caliber would hit Martinez’s interests hard. Nonetheless, it is my belief that rather than hankering for a move away, Coleman should go with the flow and stay put at Everton. The simple reason being that Coleman is completely untested at the highest level of football and with the greatest of respect, it’s because he plies his trade at Everton.

And for that very same reason, he could very well end up being a Marouane Fellaini. Don’t get me wrong, Coleman is a prototypical full-back of the modern game – he’s got pace, power, determination and skill. Although, the aforementioned skills do not guarantee success at a magnanimous club like Manchester United or Chelsea. Moreover, joining a heavyweight side at a juncture when your suffering a rough patch in your career is not plausible too. If United do splash 20 million pounds on Coleman, the hefty price tag will definitely weigh heavily on him and put him under immense pressure. Ultimately, there could be a possibility that Coleman never scales the heights which he has achieved in his career and may fade into oblivion. Additionally, he is perfectly versed with the kind of play Roberto Martinez uses.

At Manchester United, with the numerous casualties being reported almost every week, a switch in role is a definite possibility, which any footballer would obviously want to avoid. The fact that Coleman is emotionally attached to the club could also heavily influence his decision. He rejected Arsenal to stay at Everton and sign an extension as he felt that everybody was treated equally at the club.

He said, “What I like about the club is the fact everyone treats everyone the same — from the coaching staff to the cleaning staff. No one is too big for their boots.

"“I always remember I’m at Everton Football Club. I’m in the Premier League and I’ll never take it for granted. I’m sure people will read this and think ‘Oh here he goes saying this again’ but it’s the truth. I’m privileged to be where I am and I know that.”"

A move to Chelsea seems all the more detrimental, as they already have Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta as right-backs. Switching Merseyside for London would confine the Irishman to a bit-part role without a whisker of doubt, and Coleman would be well aware of that which in turn makes the touted switch all the more impossible.

Quite evidently, moving to another club is clearly not the best option for Coleman as of now. He should consider staying put and resurrecting his season by mounting a top 6 challenge for Everton.

Do you think Coleman should stay at Goodison?