Everton’s Mason Holgate is in line for more playing minutes now Seamus Coleman is injured.
Everton duo Mason Holgate and Seamus Coleman celebrate a goal scored by the former
Seamus Coleman’s injury is, of course, terrible news for Everton.
He’s one of the Premier League’s best fullbacks, reliable in defence whilst also posing a significant threat at the other end of the field and one of those players who sets the tone for how the rest of the side should play, endearing himself to fans.
The only consolation for the Toffees is that they do have options to replace Coleman waiting in the wings and chief among them is a young player who would benefit greatly from a prolonged spell in the side, Mason Holgate.
While Holgate may be more confortable lining up at center-half than right-back, he’s shown he can perform there – most notably against Stoke earlier in the season when he was terrific – and picking a replacement he can rely on defensively would make sense for Ronald Koeman.
Another option would be to play three at the back, again likely utilising Holgate, and deploying somebody more attack-minded at right wing-back.
Holgate, seen here in action against Stoke City, was signed from Barnsley in 2015
Koeman has a reputation for developing young players from his time in the Netherlands and although Southampton fans were critical of his treatment of youngsters at their club, he’s given the likes of Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin opportunities this term.
If there’s a silver lining to be found after Coleman’s injury, it’s that it should create a chance for another promising young talent.
Holgate is only 20 but already looks assured in the Premier League. Ensuring a defender of such potential isn’t left warming the bench should be a priority for Everton.
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