Everton fans have been voicing concern and support for James McCarthy after it was suggested that he should be sold.
Toffees fan account ‘Love Everton’ had raised the question to the Goodison Park faithful, as McCarthy is yet to feature so far this season.
Thanks to a Tibia and Fibula fracture sustained in January 2018, the 41-cap former Republic of Ireland international spent 350 days out injured but returned for selection at the turn of the year.
Inconsistent form by Idrissa Gana Gueye amidst speculation over his future on Merseyside and the lack of defensive ability shown by the creative duo of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes should have created the chance for a fit McCarthy to earn a return and debut under Marco Silva.
The last time that McCarthy was consistently in the starting XI, Ronald Koeman was still firmly the man in charge, but a hamstring injury ruled the defensive midfielder, valued by TransferMarkt at £6.3million, out until Sam Allardyce was brought in.
Given his horrific and worsening injury record, fans would have been excused for thinking cashing in on McCarthy would be the right move, but some came to his rescue as they still see the 28-year-old as the club’s best midfielder…
I’m baffled that he hasn’t got in that team yet tbh…he closes down, works hard, covers other players and is a better footballer than many give him credit for..
— Craig Richardson (@bluesooty007) January 22, 2019
His next game is a game closer to being injured. Republic of Ireland player and occasional Everton player is how he should be described.
— Stephen Reeves (@ste_reeves) January 22, 2019
Would you use a glass hammer to knock a nail in though?
I’d be worried that if he went in hard he’d just be putting himself at risk.— Love Everton (@LuvEvertonForum) January 22, 2019
I’d play him gives us bite
— Paul Carroll (@carroll3_p) January 22, 2019
I’d personally play him es never let us down , obviously other than injuries , but he has been unfortunate
— Mark (@Mark53779049) January 22, 2019
Love to see him start !
— phil knight (@phil_spudhead) January 22, 2019
think he will play 5 games then be out till next January
— Tim (@UpperBullen) January 22, 2019
Can’t see him being anything but a squad player under Silva. Probably time to cash in
— DazRB1878 (@DarrenBarnard1) January 22, 2019
I’d give him another go, if fit he gives us Great energy and can press quick, he’s got passion and would love too see him have a great run of games under his belt But realistically don’t see it happening..
— Steve Carroll (@steviecarroll4) January 22, 2019
Erm. Have you seen our central midfield? We don’t have one. If he’s fit, he plays. Exactly the passion aggression and energy the whole team lacks.
— peter james needham (@pjneedham40) January 22, 2019
100% has a place in that team
— Jamie Rowland (@rowloefc) January 22, 2019
Got to give him a run of games to see how his fitness and form hold up. He brings a key ingredient that we’ve been lacking: leadership. He’s versatile enough to play different roles in the centre of the park
— Mark Langshaw (@MarkLangshaw) January 22, 2019
Sell gana play him , then assess at the end of the season .
— DanRowley usm mr Everton 2015 (@rowleydan) January 22, 2019
I think he’s our best midfielder. Would be playing for me if I picked the team
— Clements (@clements2016) January 22, 2019