Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny believes Seamus Coleman is currently enjoying the 'best spell' of his career thus far - and played when not 100% fit last season.
The full-back made the switch to Goodison Park back in 2009, joining from Sligo Rovers for £60,000. Since then, the full-back has gone on to establish himself as an Everton stalwart.
Kenny wants his skipper spearheading the charge towards the 2024 European Championship, despite Coleman being almost 36 by the time of the finals in Germany. And the Ireland boss fired back when asked about his defender’s suitability at right wing-back.
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“Yes he can!” he replied when asked if Coleman can still do a job in the position. “I think he has probably had the best spell of his career in the last two years, I would say.”
The Blues finished 16th last season, having secured their Premier League survival on the penultimate day with a dramatic 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison. Frank Lampard’s side came from 2-0 down at the break to claim all three points.
And Kenny believes the impact of fighting to avoid the drop meant that Coleman often took the decision to play when not 100% fit, but believes this season injury free, the 34-year-old is back to his best.
“Obviously last year was such a tough year for him when he started recording hamstring injuries and couldn't get any rhythm in his training,” he said.
“He was probably having to play matches when he hadn't had the required time in training coming back - because needs must in a relegation battle.
“They wanted the captain, they put him in and then there was the injury count. People saw in Armenia, when he played wing-back, he wasn't quite right, because he was in that phase of his career.
“Because that didn't go well for him and we lost, people said 'oh, well he can never play wing-back, he's just a right centre-back now.'
“Looking at him in recent times...I was at the game against Brentford last week and he's getting up and down, flying up and down the line.
“He's been an attacking threat, he's had a run in training all season, completely injury free. To me, it was never about age with Seamus.
“Obviously at 33-34, you're not the same as you are at 24, but I feel it was the rhythm of games and regular training, rather than an age issue. For me, yes he can.”
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