Jamie O’Hara has labelled Wolves’ decision to offload Conor Coady as a ‘disgrace’ and claimed their loss will be Everton’s gain.
Coady arrived at Goodison Park earlier this week, initially on loan with an option to buy next summer, after spending seven seasons at Molineux. But despite being a regular starter throughout that period - he averaged over 45 games a season across all competitions - the 29-year-old was dropped for Wolves’ opening-day defeat at Leeds United.
Bruno Lage’s switch to a back-four, coupled with the £20million signing of Nathan Collins, had seemingly pushed the ever-present Coady to the fringes of the starting line-up and eventually to Merseyside. And former Wolves full-back O’Hara has slammed the Midlands club for their decision, claiming Everton will benefit massively from Coady’s arrival.
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“I think it’s a disgrace they have let him go,” O’Hara told Sky Sports News . “For me, he is one of the best centre-halves in that position in the Premier League and the way he plays. I think he’s fantastic.
“Everton, what a signing that is for them. Conor Coady is brilliant whenever I have watched him play, in big games, whether it’s Liverpool or Manchester United, he has been superb. And he’s talking. The character that he has got, is absolutely outstanding.
“I can’t believe that Wolves have allowed him to go. I think that’s going to be a problem replacing him. I don’t think you can replace him. They are going to miss him dearly. This is a top, top signing for Frank Lampard. I am a huge fan of Conor Coady. He is brilliant.”
Everton’s offer of regular minutes in a progressive back three under Lampard was enough to convince former Liverpool youngster Coady to return to Merseyside. He could make his debut in this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa, potentially joining fellow England international James Tarkowski at the back.
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