MALDINI, TERRY, RAMOS... AND NOW COLEMAN
Ancelotti pays tribute to the latest and most unsung skipper in his personal series of captain, leader, legend-types
CARLO ANCELOTTI knows a world-class captain when he sees one.
So when he talks about Everton skipper Seamus Coleman in the same breath as greats like Paolo Maldini, John Terry and Sergio Ramos, you sit up and listen. Everton ground out their third win in a row in the Premier League, and fifth in all competitions, with goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison at Selhurst Park. But while their trio of big-money new signings all impressed again, it was the man who cost just £60,000 – in a January 2009 move from Sligo Rovers – who brought this one home. Coleman must qualify as the Premier League’s biggest bargain buy. He has played 322 games for the Toffees and never given anything less than his all. Superstar James Rodriguez is rightly lauded for his silky skills, Abdoulaye Doucoure for his exp los ive running power, and Allan for his gritty, one-man shielding of the back four.
But it’s Coleman’s leadership that has been key to Everton’s best start to a season since 1938 – and he was at it again here. The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland right- back was constantly barking orders, shutting down attacks, and racing forward to get involved at the other end.
By the final whistle, he’d assisted Calvert-Lewin’s opener, as well as making three clearances, three tackles, one block, and one interception, without being dribbled past once.
That helped make this the first time Wilfried Zaha has failed to complete a single dribble in a Premier League home game in four seasons.
Ancelotti (right) said: “He’s doing really well. I think that Seamus is an example for all the others, and for the new players, of how to be a player on the pitch who produces the spirit. But not only on the pitch. Every day, Seamus is a great example of a captain.
“I had a lot of captains in my career. Seamus has a spirit. He is really tough. gh. He’s Hes a great captain.
“I cannot t make a list because I would forget someone. But ut like Maldini, John Terry, Sergio ergio Ramos (all three pictured red with the Champions s League trophy, above) e) – he is that kind of captain.” aptain.”
Coleman’s assist for Calvert-Lewin’s ewin’s fifth league goal oal of the season came ame after a brilliant ant first- time pass ass from Rodriguez ez that split the he
Palace defence wide open. But despite dominating the game, Everton conceded an equaliser when makeshift centre-back Cheikhou Kouyate headed home an Andros Townsend corner.
The Blues have now conceded 18 times from set pieces since the start of last season – more than any other current Premier League side. But they found a way to win when Rodriguez picked out Lucas D igne with a peach of a crossfield ball and his header struck Joel Ward’s arm.
Neither manager agrees with the new handball rule, which resulted in that being given as a penalty, but Richarlison despatched the spot-kick and it was game over after that.
Everton look like a team going places this season. But, like a true leader, Coleman is not letting his team-mates get ahead of themselves just yet.
He said: “We want to be successful at this club, as you can see with the finances and the manager we have.
“We won’t get too carried away. The bigger picture will look after itself. But we want success at this club.
“When I speak to the lads, it is about the day to day and being professional, and not getting carried away with wins and getting too down with defeats.”