The Everton manager Ronald Koeman is not happy with his national team.
Republic of Ireland’s James McCarthy in action with Georgia’s Levan Mchedlidze
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has had his say, speaking on talkSPORT (14/10/16) on the club v country argument currently ongoing between the Republic of Ireland and Everton over James McCarthy.
The midfielder has been absent for Everton since August and the club were concerned about his return to action being with his national team. In the end he played both games for Ireland during the international break – which had left Everton boss Ronald Koeman disappointed.
Republic of Ireland head coach Martin O’Neill
Saunders, who has worked in both club and international coaching, suggested what might have happened if Koeman is unhappy – but also made it clear that if McCarthy was not fit he should not have reported for duty:
“What you have to do is listen to the player, really. If he’s gone to Martin O’Neill and said ‘I can feel my groin’ and Martin O’Neill says ‘do you think you can play through the game?’ and he says ‘well I am not sure.’
Everton manager Ronald Koeman before the match
“Then the player’s gone back to Ronald Koeman after the trip and said ‘I did tell the manager I wasn’t right.’
“But if you turn up to play for your country in a World Cup qualifier…you’re fit!
“If you say you’re fit, you’re fit. So the only gripe would be if there’s a conversation that’s happened that we don’t know about.”
Saunders point is simple – if McCarthy was not ready to play two games for his country then why was he in the squad?
Tottenham’s Danny Rose in action with Everton’s James McCarthy
The midfielder now has a fight on his hands to be fit for the game with Manchester City this weekend – not that he would have been likely to start anyway.
He has seemingly lost his place in the Everton first-team to summer signing Idrissa Gana Gueye and is now scrapping to get back in the starting XI.
This episode will have hardly helped his cause.
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