Here are three possible successors to Seamus Coleman at Everton.
Everton signed Seamus Coleman in 2009 for £63k. Terming it as money well spent is an understatement. Coleman has been a tower of strength and a mainstay in the Everton team ever since. The Irishman and Leighton Baines forged a dangerous and highly productive partnership as opposite flank full backs, carrying the team through thick and thin.
Last season, when Coleman’s partner in crime, Baines, hanged his boots, it came as a shocking reminder that the Irishman too will need to be replaced at some point. One of the most loyal servers to the Royal Blues, Coleman is on the wrong side of thirty and entering the twilight of his career.
Lucas Digne was signed right in time to take over the mantle from Baines and be a successful heir to the throne of the left back. Things are not the same for Coleman. The Toffees do realize that the captain cannot go on and on forever and sooner or later will need to be replaced from the starting lineup. The Toffees had high hopes from Jonjoe Kenny after his fruitful exploits at Schalke last season.
However, Carlo Ancelotti has not completely trusted him which was very evident by the team selection when Coleman was injured. Instead of deploying a natural right back in the form of Kenny, the Italian manager chose Mason Holgate for the role. Earlier in the season, Ben Godfrey got the nod ahead of Kenny, hinting that Kenny still remains a developing player and may not be the right player to succeed Coleman.
The 31 year old is not going to call the curtains on his illustrious career tomorrow but his legs are running out of juice and the club hierarchy needs to think about the future. With Kenny not being the obvious choice, Everton may look into the market to find an able successor to Coleman.