HITMAN PELLE GETS BETTER AND BETTER
IT is not beyond the limits of imagination to believe James McCarthy could have been wearing a very different colour shirt at Goodison today.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder comes fresh off the back of a man- of- the- match performance against world champions Germany (below), to lead the Blues against Manchester United in a game that could define his season.
It is that level of performance, as he controlled and eventually subdued the fabled German midfield, which suggests the speculation linking him to United, Arsenal and Spurs in the summer was not in the least bit fanciful.
But McCarthy, 24, has the desire to lead Everton, which is why he signed a new longterm contract with the club before the start of the season – and why he believes an exciting young side is on the verge of something special.
He said: “There was a lot of speculation in the summer, but I was delighted to pen a new deal, move on and look forward to the future.
“It’s a massive club and I can see us going places. We kept the likes of Stonesy and have still got Ross.
“We have a good squad and we’re trying to build something and every one of us knows that if we get the focus right, then we can achieve something.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute since I have been here. Nothing has changed since day one. As a squad we are up there and I’m sure we can compete this season.”
There is reason for such optimism. A pulsating victory over Chelsea earlier this season showed the youthful quality Everton now have, built along a spine of John Stones, McCarthy, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku.
Yet, there is also the looming pressure of predators keen to pick off the best young talent at the club, as Chelsea showed d with Stones inn the summer, and d McCarthy himself lf discovered, too.
It is why he knowss the Blues must show w against United thiss afternoon they are e genuine contenders s – why they must t prove to the best t young talent at the e club that they can n achieve their aims at Goodison.
Asked about the need to challenge at the top of the Premier League to keep the side together, McCarthy said: “That’s it, we do need to. There are things we’ve spoken about, we want to achieve things together.
“The history of Everton, it’s a massive club, in the past there have been lots of trophies, and this season we want to try and focus on achieving things again.
“We haven’t won a trophy for years and we definitely know we have got a good enough squad, so it’s about getting it right on the pitch so we can kick on.”
He may be quiet, may shun the spotlight if he has any chance to do so, but like another famous red head with an almost non-existent public profile, Paul Scholes, McCarthy’s reticence should not be confused with a lack of ambition.
He sees Europe as the minimum target for the club this season, and believes there is unfinished business after Everton were embarrassed in the Europa League by Dynamo Kiev in March.
He said: “Yes, I think so, Kiev was a really disappointing night. We all know we’ve got the qualities and the depth of squad now, and we know we have to try and kick on this season. “It would be nice to get into the European places – we’ve had a decent enough start and we want t to get more points o on the board.”
He still has the E Euros to aim at with I Ireland in a play-off n now, too. And there is a hint of a United in inf luence in his d development with h his country, as Roy KeaneK is there to guideg him.
While there are many horror stories about the Irish legend’s manacing glare, McCarthy is happy to learn only the positive from the master of his positio n.
He added: “Roy picks out things from the videos, showing us all clips, and it’s brilliant to learn from.
“He’s always been an idol so it’s brilliant to work alongside him. And he’s always been spot on. He’s not lost the plot much – he’s not lost it at Ireland at all.
“It was a massive achievement to beat Germany and reach the playoffs. It’s something you dream of as a kid – playing the world champs.
“But there is always a big game coming, you must think ahead.” RONALD KOEMAN claims in-form Graziano Pelle is one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League.
Pelle, 30, has already added seven goals to the 16 he notched in his debut season for Southampton, and the Italy international (above) continued his outstanding form by netting against Norway in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
And Saints boss Koeman is hoping his star ruins Claudio Ranieri’s impressive return to the Premier League when his men take on Leicester today.
The Dutchman said: “Pelle is one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He is always improving. He is an even better striker this year than he was last year.
“He’s a very complete striker, he’s not only physically strong, he knows what happens around him, has good technique, is tall but he’s not slow, his coordination’s very good.
“Every time he’s in the box he’s clever, is a good header and finisher and is, in my opinion, one of the best.
“He is the No.9 of the Italy national team, without any discussion. That’s maybe the best way to explain how good Pelle is.”
Fifth-placed Foxes have followed Saints’ example from last season to shock the big clubs with an electric start.
Koeman added: “Leicester have had a great start and at the moment it is difficult to beat them. But we had that experience last season and it’s difficult to keep it going.”