James McCarthy

[Caolam]

McCarty is a difficult one, I would have thought he was a certainty to move on. I didn't think we needed a player of his age and experience to fill the role is back up for the back up midfield role, I didn't think he would accept being so far down the pecking order.
However Koeman has made the decision to keep him, it is a decision based on his analysis of Everton and not because no one made an offer.
I am still not convinced by McCarthy but I am happy decisions are being taken based on the interests of Everton. As with any player at the club I now hope he goes on and shows everyone why we kept him.

 

[Eggs]

McCarty is a difficult one, I would have thought he was a certainty to move on. I didn't think we needed a player of his age and experience to fill the role is back up for the back up midfield role, I didn't think he would accept being so far down the pecking order.
However Koeman has made the decision to keep him, it is a decision based on his analysis of Everton and not because no one made an offer.
I am still not convinced by McCarthy but I am happy decisions are being taken based on the interests of Everton. As with any player at the club I now hope he goes on and shows everyone why we kept him.

....he will still be in demand in the summer and the income from his transfer will help bring others in.

 

[Azza]

He's one of the family.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Makes more sense to sell him in the summer, if we do at all. Him and Cleverley will bring in about £25m combined and that's a nice fee for a very good signing. All good and well moaning about net spend but if we can keep improving without being hundreds of millions out of pocket then why wouldn't we.

Having said that I'd be happy enough if he stays, but doubt he'll be happy that far down the pecking order.

 

[hktoffee]

....he will still be in demand in the summer and the income from his transfer will help bring others in.

Schneiderlin, Gana and Davies will stay definiately. I will keep McCarthy and either sell one of Barry (aging but still stay fit) or Besic (injured all the time not making contribution) and bring in another CM.

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

McCarthy should be our modern day Alan Harper.
He can fill in multiple roles and do a job. Always useful to have a player like.

 

[neil999]

wonder if he will be used as wing back again if coleman is injured? mind you wasnt he rubbish in that role when koeman tried it??

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Let's face it, we're going to get injuries/suspensions in the middle of midfield, especially with Gana regularly putting challenges in, Barry aging and Schneiderlin coming off a period where he didn't play a lot of first team football

It's useful to have Jimmy Mac on the books during the remainder of the season, and if he still wants to go at the end we can move him on in the summer

 

[squonk]

I for one am delighted he is staying. Would seem to fit the profile of the type of player Koeman is looking for. Well in Ron.

 

[bluestevon]

....he will still be in demand in the summer and the income from his transfer will help bring others in.

We look like we've had one eye on that with some of the deals, players whose value will go down got rid instantly, everyone else structured it so as to generate a better profit next summer, del and niasse will both fetch more next summer, the cleverley deal was truly us being shady in irdervto get the fee in the next year for stcc reasons, same with holding onto McCarthy

 

[Khalekan]

Let's face it, we're going to get injuries/suspensions in the middle of midfield, especially with Gana regularly putting challenges in, Barry aging and Schneiderlin coming off a period where he didn't play a lot of first team football

It's useful to have Jimmy Mac on the books during the remainder of the season, and if he still wants to go at the end we can move him on in the summer

Exactly, Mike.

IMO it would be madness to let Jimmy Mac go if he himself is content to stay and fight for a place.

Two from Gana/Schneiderlin/Jimmy Mac will be on the pitch most the time as we are going to be playing a high energy game in central midfield as they give Ross and Tom Davies the freedom to create things.

James will be getting plenty of game time if he stays into next season.

And let's hope he does.

 

[TrixyStevens]

Good we retained him, but were the board keen on selling him?
From what I read it seems like Koeman had to veto their plans to sell...

 

[BlueToff]

wonder if he will be used as wing back again if coleman is injured? mind you wasnt he rubbish in that role when koeman tried it??

He was very good vs Spurs.

Wasn't great at WBA, but wasn't exactly awful. He got taken off cos we needed another forward on though and we changed systems.

 

[Barnfred 55]

....he will still be in demand in the summer and the income from his transfer will help bring others in.

Sell to buy.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Good we retained him, but were the board keen on selling him?
From what I read it seems like Koeman had to veto their plans to sell...

I think the player fancied a move himself and Newcastle wanted him

Koeman's stance and words on him are quite interesting - he is the player that Martinez had signed (along with Maybe Lennon) who, before the season started, I thought might best suit the high energy approach Koeman wanted - now that he's fit I can understand Koeman thinking he might be worth having around (if indeed his words are to be believed). Personally, given he has competition from Schneiderlin, Gana and Davies along with Barry and, to a lesser extent, Besic, I think McCarthy will be gone in the summer anyway