Goodison News speaking to Kevin Campbell

Wed 19 July 2023 7:10, UK

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…

Kevin Campbell is “so pleased” that Everton have given Seamus Coleman an extension to his contract in what he sees as a rare example of the club getting it “right”.

The captain’s season was ended by injury in the 2-2 draw with Leicester City late in the relegation battle (1 May), threatening to call time on his Goodison career as his contract expired at the end of the season, but he signed a new one-year deal on 29 June to extend his stay to a 15th campaign.

Former Toffees captain Campbell believes that Everton have made plenty of mistakes in recent years, but on this occasion they haven’t as Coleman, 34, is so key to the coaching staff.

The Sky Sports pundit, speaking exclusively to Goodison News, said: “You know, we say there’s a lot of things Everton get wrong. This is something they’ve got right, I can tell you that much.

“Seamus is an absolute stalwart and I’m so pleased that he’s got another year because I think the manager and his staff respect Seamus a hell of a lot.”

The Irishman epitomises everything that an Everton team should be about, and despite his career advancing into his mid-30s last term he still proved to be vital on the pitch as well as off it.

Nathan Patterson was presumed to be taking over the starting right-back spot but the Scot suffered an injury issue after a decent start to the campaign, and the managerial switch from Frank Lampard to Sean Dyche saw the veteran cement his place ahead of the youngster.

Dyche doesn’t seem sold on the former Rangers man Patterson, 21, and is targeting full-backs this summer so it was no surprise that he didn’t want to lose Coleman at the same time.

In other Everton news, three players now “actively” want out of Leeds United this summer amid transfer interest from the Toffees.