Coleman ‘could play in any side,’ says O’Neill

IRELAND manager Martin O’Neill believes that Seamus Coleman would be an asset to any club in the Premier League.

But he expects that his captain will stay loyal to Everton after they stuck by him by honouring the promise of a new contract in the aftermath of his leg break horror on Ireland duty.

O’Neill feels that Coleman is now back to his old self following his return from injury in January, and he is anticipating a big campaign from the 29-year-old.

The Donegal man was linked with a switch to Manchester United before he broke his leg against Wales in March 2017, their interest in the player pre-dating the arrival of Jose Mourinho.

However, Coleman (right) has indicated that he is willing to spend the rest of his career with Everton and is under contract until 2022.

O’Neill understands that, but has asserted his conviction that Coleman would not be out of place with any team in the Premier League’s top six.

“I think Seamus is a very loyal fellow,” said O’Neill, “He’s shown great loyalty to Everton and it was nice to see Everton reward him with a contract when he was injured. That was great. It worked both ways at the end of the day and Everton are still a very fine club.

“They are doing their utmost this season to try and break into the top group and Seamus will get a lot of enjoyment out of that if that’s the case. “It looks as if Everton do want to really have a go and Seamus is such a loyal person, in that sense, he will feel that’s a challenge.

“But do I think Seamus Coleman could play in any of the sides above Everton? Absolutely.

“I thought at the back end of last season when he came back and played the friendlies, I felt he was searching for that real proper fitness that he possesses.

“But I watched Seamus in Everton’s first game this season against Wolves and even though they were down to ten men, I saw that he was bursting forward like the Seamus Coleman that we know. I thought they were great, positive signs.”