It’s February and the Premier League is more than halfway through its course. Trends emerge weeks into the season but it’s futile to read too much into them—Aaron Ramsey isn’t scoring freely, Manchester City can indeed win on the road and Crystal Palace isn’t rooted to the bottom of the table.
It is, however, the perfect time to think about what has held true since August. Despite detractors saying that they would run out of steam, Everton remains in contention for a top four spot. A host of loanees, established veterans and young players are credited with the Toffees’ good run, but one Irishman has been quietly going about his business, happy to focus on his football while other players take the headlines.
Seamus Coleman, 25, started the season as the English division’s best right back. He sustained his good form through the holidays and a couple of weeks away from Valentine’s Day, the Irishman remains the premier right back in the Premier League.
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His best position was a hot pub debate topic on Merseyside early in his Everton career. Was he better as a flying winger or as a fullback? His ability going forward was never in question yet his defending was. David Moyes eased him into the side—as a right back—but initially preferred veterans Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert in the role.
This season, however, Coleman has been a revelation. A surefire pick for the PFA Team of the Year, he has provided defensive awareness with an unparalleled attacking ability, with five goals and an assist in 22 appearances in the league. Many of his goals have been of the spectacular variety. Witness his solo effort to put Everton 1-0 up against Swansea City in December if you need proof.
Crucially, he now provides that ability going forward married to a matured defensive acumen. Everton has conceded 25 goals all season which makes them the third best defence in the league. Playing alongside veterans Phil Jagielka, Silvain Distin, Leighton Baines and Tim Howard has to be a reassuring factor for Coleman. The back five is settled and provides a solid platform for Everton’s forwards to play their game.
His current manager, Roberto Martinez, has certainly noticed Coleman’s improved awareness.
"I think now you’re seeing a Seamus full of maturity, full of enjoyment," said Martinez earlier this season. "He’s as good as anyone in the league when he goes forward."
His route to the first team of a Champions League contender was extremely unconventional. In fact, there was and will always be a considerable pressure on Coleman.
He played non-league football for his local club in Ireland before signing with Siligo Rovers FC. Barnstorming displays in the Irish League led to a host of English suitors vying for his signature. He chose Everton and Moyes’ 60,000-pound investment remains one of his best transfer moves to date.
Where’s the pressure in a small budget—relatively speaking—transfer between two clubs who don’t play in the same league?
Well, the last person to cross the Rovers-Toffees divide was Dixie Dean, recognized as the greatest in Everton’s history. His move happened over 70 years ago and would be akin to one of the world’s greatest players—a Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—going to play in Ireland.
Trotting such a renowned path could weigh on some players. The inevitable comparisons to Dean would be too much to take. Thankfully, for his sake, Coleman isn’t like most players. His ability to fly under the radar has been evident for years but this season he’s finally established himself in the wider consciousness.
It certainly looks like he’s here to stay.
Sasha Kalra is a Toronto-based writer. Follow him on Twitter.