Sky pundit predicts time is up for Everton hero Seamus Coleman with Nathan Patterson lined up
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
The time has come for Seamus Coleman to be demoted from a starting role at Everton with Nathan Patterson lined up to take over says Kevin Campbell.
The Toffees spent £16million on the Rangers full-back in January and got a grand total of 45 minutes in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood out of him, raising fears that he is the next in a long line of expensive flops at the club.
But Sky Sports pundit Campbell believes the 20-year-old has a future at Goodison and thinks it is time that club captain Coleman is relieved of his duties as a week-in-week-out starter.
“If I’m honest, Frank Lampard did start him [Patterson] in the FA Cup game and he had to change it at half time,” he said speaking to Goodison News.
“And then obviously Patterson’s picked up and injury and stuff, but that’s all part and parcel of a young man’s career.
“But moving forward I don’t see why not that he be a part of the Everton squad.
“I thought he looked pretty decent, when I saw him anyway. But I don’t make the decisions.
“You’ve spent money on the young lad to come in, Scottish international, and as long as he’s fit I think he gets a chance.
“Because Seamus Coleman, bless him, they’ve had to patch him up week in week out to get him playing.
“I think it’s time that he could be second or third string.”
Although as committed to the cause as ever, at 33 the Irishman, who is approaching 400 Toffees appearances, doesn’t have the ability to race up and down the right flank game after game like he once did.
It was an indictment of the poor planning around the squad that he was forced into that role again during most of the relegation battle under Frank Lampard.
It should be somewhat concerning that around his injury the manager didn’t see fit to trust Patterson virtually at all, but once fit and with a preseason under his belt there will be hopes that he can emulate fellow January signing Vitalii Mykolenko’s development.
In other Everton news, a European club are ready to make a decision this summer that will either net the Toffees €4million or €28million.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.