Seamus Coleman must leave Everton this summer when contract ends
There has been something of a changing of the guard at Everton over the past 12 months and that could mean one stalwart leaves the club for good this summer.
Republic of Ireland international and Toffees’ captain Seamus Coleman has less than 12 months left on his contract at Goodison Park, according to the Liverpool Echo, after spending 14 seasons on Merseyside.
Having signed for Everton in 2009 from Sligo Rovers – for just £60,000 too – he has been incredible value for the football club and up until last season, he was almost certain to start every game if he was fit to do so.
But that has changed dramatically recently with Everton’s struggles last season coupled with the emergence of another top young talent forcing him to take residence on the bench for Premier League games these days.
Nathan Patterson arrived on Merseyside in January for a hefty price tag from Rangers but he made very few appearances last season as Frank Lampard aimed to keep his side in the top flight of English football.
This season, however, the Scottish international has come on leaps and bounds and his stellar displays at right-back have earned him plenty of praise as well as a regular starting spot over the veteran Coleman.
As a result of the 20-year-old’s emergence in the first team, Coleman really has to consider if he wants to sign another new deal at Goodison Park when he could go and play every week further down the footballing pyramid or even back in his native Republic of Ireland.
As the team goes through this gradual revolution, it may be time for the 33-year-old to give up on his boyhood Premier League dream and return to a place where he would compete for playing time on a more regular basis.