James McCarthy

[Baines' left foot]

He started our first two games, didn't he?

Yes, but at right wing back I believe.

 

[Jreverton1]

McCarthy has been on the 'available at the right price' list all summer.

Hopefully he'll be

McCarthy has been on the 'available at the right price' list all summer.

Hopefully its the same price I sold him for on FM15 to Arsenal £24m

 

[Piranha]

It's pretty obvious he wants to go to Celtic who probably can't afford him, he's one of those Scottish people who think they're Irish.

Perfect place for him.

 

[davek]

You don't think McCarthy would improve Celtic?

He would. They just cant afford him.

 

[Piranha]

He would. They just cant afford him.

They just got 30m for qualifying for CL groups, they can afford him if they want to stump up the cash but they just probably want him on the cheap (loan).

 

[Woolly Blue]

Your*

No mate

Squad depth gents. He will play games this year.

Absolutely, but he's what, 25/26 ?

So, if he thinks he's down the pecking order a bit, and sees playing regularly as more important than wages then, with an agent on a percentage whispering in his ear, he might be tempted to try somewhere else. Don't forget, it's not that long ago that there was reasonably reliable talk of him moving to Spurs before he got a new contract.

As it happens, if he needs even a minor op, then the chances of him leaving this Summer seem small, but, if he's not happy come January then I think he'll be gone.

 

[davek]

There's a lot of truth in that. Despite my youthful looks, I'm a bit old-fashioned and like to see players develop and improve within the club ( Ratters immediately comes to mind, though I'm not comparing McCarthy to Ratcliffe ).

But ...

... lets not get stuck in "Plucky Old Everton" mode, making the best of what we have.

While I think McCarthy has a lot to offer for us so we shouldn't be actively looking to sell him, if we can improve the squad by, say, selling him for <n> milllion and replacing him for <n+15> million, then I'm all for it


I don't see it as a priority this summer though. If he leaves, it'll be because he wants to.

Every player has their price.

The vast bulk of the agitation to see McCarthy out though is from people who want to fantasize about a world class signing coming in to replace McCarthy.

You couldn't make that up after this summer. They actually think stuff like that will happen even now with all the evidence slapping them in the face to the contrary.

Once the window shuts we can only hope the Fantasy Football outfit calm down and get behind whoever's left in the squad

 

[Moomin]

He reminds of a disciple, not sure which one.

 

[davek]

They just got 30m for qualifying for CL groups, they can afford him if they want to stump up the cash but they just probably want him on the cheap (loan).

That's gone right into Dermot Desmond's new yacht fund.

 

[The Esk]

I would imagine our entire squad has that label.

Koeman himself said he wants him to stay, but its up to Jamo.

He's definitely at the 'wouldn't be too upset if we got the right price' end of the list . Can see Koeman wanting him as cover, as a squad player, but he's no longer a guaranteed starter.

Personally will be delighted if he goes.

 

[Goat]

He's definitely at the 'wouldn't be too upset if we got the right price' end of the list . Can see Koeman wanting him as cover, as a squad player, but he's no longer a guaranteed starter.

Personally will be delighted if he goes.

I suppose Koeman is trying to compare him to the Bosnian Zidane, very unfair.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

He would be one the best possible players we could bring off of the bench, but I have no doubt in my mind that Gueye is the better player. If he accepts the role as an occasional starter and squad player, I would gladly have him.

 

[davek]

Anyway, he's injured and therefore not moving. Unless I've got that wrong.

 

[peteblue]

I like McCarthy, he just needs to be reset by RK. His first season here saw him being coveted by many opposition fans. He has the skill and the engine, he just needs his brain reset..........

 

[BlueToff]

Anyway, he's injured and therefore not moving. Unless I've got that wrong.

It was a weird one Dave.

The press asked Koeman and he immediately said 'James is injured, and we need to assess whether he will need an operation. I don't want him to go and he can be an important player. But (okay) sometimes it could be up to the player'.

I genuinely think RK would happily keep him - but he's in no way going to be a guaranteed starter.

And as much as I like Jimmy Mac, I can see why. He just doesn't do the things he's good at in terms of going forward enough, and he's no longer that player that made us tick.

I want him to stay - and I genuinely think Koeman would be happy for him to stay as well - but if a bid does come in and he wants to leave, then he'll go.