Kevin Thelwell will regret Everton transfer decision amid fresh injury blow
Everton chief Kevin Thelwell is set to regret his strategy in the transfer market with the club receiving a fresh injury concern.
Seamus Coleman was forced off the pitch for the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League defeat to England on Saturday [7 September].
The 35-year-old has not long returned to the first-team fold this season, starting for the first time in the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, and his removal against England is another in a long list of problems for Sean Dyche with options limited at right-back.
Thelwell may live to regret not strengthening the right side of the Blues’ defence – on indeed on the left with a versatile option – as the club await to hear the extent of Coleman’s latest injury setback.
Everton should have signed a right-back this summer
Everton supporters will hope Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson removed the veteran as a precaution, though former Blue Andros Townsend raised concern in his live commentary of the match [ITV 1].
Regardless of however long Coleman finds himself on the Goodison Park treatment table, it is a significant oversight by the Blues not to provide Dyche with more depth at right-back.
Coleman was constricted to only seven Premier League starts last term, and his injury history doesn’t make for great reading for the Blues. At 35, his fitness will continue to be a cause of concern until he calls time on his Everton career.
Thelwell did attempt to provide sufficient depth with a move for Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier [David Ornstein]. So the club was well aware that there was a glaring issue in need of addressing but seemingly gave up once the Trippier move fell through.
With Nathan Patterson nowhere close to returning to the side, Dyche is left with 39-year-old Ashley Young and 19-year-old Roman Dixon to choose from. Both have already featured in the Premier League this season with polar opposite performances.
Dyche will have his fingers crossed that Coleman will be available for the Premier League restart as he will need his veteran to help lift the side out of the relegation zone.
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