Coleman set for defensive role
Everton manager David Moyes will look to develop Seamus Coleman’s qualities in defence as he plans to use the 22-year-old in his more familiar position in the coming season.
The Republic of Ireland international found himself pressed into service on the right of midfield due to injuries and did well enough to be named the club’s Young Player of the Year and get a PFA Young Player nomination.
However, Moyes said it was not a long-term plan and he was looking forward to Coleman having more of a run at right-back in the coming campaign.
“We have still got to see whether he can cope as a full-back in the Premier League but what we can say is that he can play as a winger if we need him,” he said.
“There will be a little bit of a change over next season as we will look to move him a bit further back and maybe he can develop into a right-back.
“In the first six or seven months of last season he gave us great impetus, he was the one we were looking to in spells.
“That fresh, real honest, just-glad-to-be-on-the-pitch approach was something the supporters recognised and appreciated.
“I think in the last few months he went off a little bit, I think after the last time he came back from international duty he did not come back firing like he was before.”
Moyes added on evertonfc.com: “Sometimes there are things about Seamus when you can see why he was a £60,000 player and then there are other times you will look at him and say that is great business.
“Overall, his progress for us – from his loan move to Blackpool to coming back to us – you can see the strides he has made.
“He really has stepped up massive levels in a short space of time and we are hoping for him to keep that going over the coming seasons.”
