Everton’s Magnificent Right-Back
Personal information
Full name: Seamus Coleman
Date of birth: 11 October 1988
Age: 25
Place of birth: Killybegs, Donegal, Ireland
Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position: Right back / Right Midfielder
Club information
Current club: Everton
Number: 23
Youth career
St Catherine’s F.C. (Killybegs)
Senior career
2006–2008: Sligo Rovers 60 Appearances, 1 goal
2009– Everton 140 Appearances, 14 goals
2010 → Blackpool (loan) 12 Appearances, 1 goal
National team
2007–2010 Republic of Ireland U21 13 Appearances, 1 goal
2011– Republic of Ireland 21 Appearances, 0 goals
Coleman has been an integral part of the Everton side, which is on an incredible run in the Premier League; as they chase the last spot for Champions League football. He was also named in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Team of the Year on Sunday night.
The right-back has blossomed at Goodison Park and is a constant threat down the right flank, providing assists, scoring goals and working hard defensively.
In fact, on form, you’d be hard pushed to find a better full-back than Coleman in the Premier League. He has been extremely consistent this season, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be looked at as one of the best full-backs in the league.
Maybe everyone has been distracted by the excellent form of some of his team-mates, like Ross Barkley, Gareth Barry, Laiton Baines and Romelu Lukaku, but Coleman’s own contribution shouldn’t be underestimated.
He’s already scored six league goals in 33 league appearances this season, which isn’t a bad record for a right-back.
He has created a lot of chances for his team-mates, too. Martinez likes to play an expansive style of football, which allows his full-backs to get forward and provide an attacking threat.
In turn, that’s allowed Coleman to show everyone just what he can do, and he’s become a very important player for Everton.
Coleman was born in the fishing port of Killybegs, Ireland, in the Irish county of Donegal and has represented the Republic of Ireland both at Under-21 and Under-23 level, making his international debut for the Under-21s in a friendly against Sweden in 2008.
He began as a central midfielder before switching to full-back. Coleman signed for Sligo Rovers in 2006 having begun his career at hometown side Killybegs.
The Donegal-born full-back signed for the Blues at the end of the January transfer window in 2009, having had reported interest from Celtic, Birmingham City, and Ipswich Town.
Coleman linked up with Andy Holden and Alan Stubbs in the Blues’ reserve team squad, but by the time the 2009/10 season came around he was on the fringes of the first team squad.
But he was dealt a major blow in pre-season when a freak foot infection threatened his career. Coleman battled back though, and was handed a senior start against, of all teams, Benfica.
He then played at Bolton and AEK Athens before turning in a fabulous performance on his home debut, setting up two goals against Tottenham in December 2009.
He remained on the fringes of the first team squad before moving to Blackpool on loan in March 2010. During his time at Bloomfield Road, Coleman helped Blackpool to win promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
Coleman made 12 appearances for Ian Holloway’s side and played in every minute of their play-off victories over Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.
He signed a new three-year contract days before play-off final glory. He saw plenty of action in 2010/11, scoring a first Everton goal at Brentford in the Carling Cup and a subsequent first Premier League start at Fulham four days later.
Ironically Coleman’s first Premier League goal came against Blackpool in November 2010. Playing on the right of midfield the Irishman netted in the 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.
He continued in excellent form and signed a new four-and-a-half year deal in January 2011. In February 2011 Coleman’s excellent performances for his club were rewarded with his first cap for the Republic of Ireland.
Coleman started the 3-0 Carling Nations Cup win over Wales and played for 59 minutes before being replaced.
His rapid development was confirmed at the end of the season when he was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Season prize and was named as Everton’s outstanding young performer.
Coleman suffered an ankle ligament injury on the eve of the 2011/12 campaign and missed the start of the season. But he returned not long into the season and continued to be a valuable squad member.
The 2012/13 campaign offered increased opportunities at right-back, with club veteran Tony Hibbert suffering a succession of injuries.
Grasping those chances with both hands, Coleman put in impressive displays in defence, as well as becoming a dangerous outlet in attack.
In late December 2012, his form was rewarded with a new five-and-a-half-year deal and Coleman followed that up by netting a sublime lob in the Blues’ 5-1 FA Cup third round win at Cheltenham on 7 January, 2013.
He was chosen as the Man of the Match in a friendly against England at Wembley in May 2013, which topped off an exciting season for the Republic of Ireland international.
After all of that, where exactly does Coleman factor in when it comes to discussing the best full-backs in the world? He’s very good at the Premier League level, but this is only really his first season as a first-team regular.
Coleman’s untested at a higher level because, with the greatest of respect, he plays at Everton. However, if Everton manage to make themselves regular qualifiers for European football, Coleman’s development will continue, and we’ll see just how good he is against better quality players.
Should he keep performing well on a consistent basis, then it’s surely only a matter of time before a bigger club comes calling for him.