The midfielder has been linked with an exit and Ronald Koeman should sell the Irishman.
Republic of Ireland’s James McCarthy as Italy’s Stefano Sturaro sustains an injury
Everton and the Republic of Ireland have had perhaps the most fractious club v country relationship this season. Ronald Koeman and Martin O’Neill have continually bumped heads over the availability of midfielder James McCarthy.
It became even more damaged after McCarthy, deemed unfit by Everton, was called up for the March tie with Wales and pulled out of the game in the warm-up. The fact Seamus Coleman suffered a horror leg break in the same game was out of O’Neill’s control, but will not have improved Koeman’s candour.
McCarthy has not played for Everton since then, but last week was called up by Ireland for their crunch World Cup qualifier with Austria next month. Koeman has since made it clear that McCarthy will not play in the game, but Everton must be considering selling the player in the summer regardless.
The midfielder, once the club’s most consistent player, has become a hindrance and the likes of Tom Davies and Idrissa Gana Gueye have leapfrogged him in the pecking order and rightfully so. With Mo Besic set to return and recruits to be made Everton should sell the player who has slowly become more trouble than he is worth at Goodison Park.
Republic of Ireland coach Martin O’Neill
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