McCarthy delighted with Everton move

Lyndon Lloyd , 11 September, 46comments | Jump to most recent

Midfielder relieved that deadine-day deal went through

James McCarthy says that he is delighted at securing his deadline-day move to Everton from Wigan Athletic and that he is looking forward to getting started in his new surroundings.

Though his £13m price tag suggests he will be a regular starter under Roberto Martinez, the Irish international admits he is prepared to wait for his chance to hold down a first-team place.

Linked consistently with the Blues after Martinez left the DW Stadium for Goodison in June, McCarthy was one of three late arrivals before the transfer window closed and he admits that he wondered if his transfer would be completed in time.

"It was very hectic," the 22 year-old said. "At times it goes through your head that it might not happen.

"As time went on, it got to 10.30pm at night and I was thinking to myself, 'Is it going to happen or not?'

"I'm just delighted to be at such a great club. It is a great place to be. Since I heard they were interested I wanted to come here."

McCarthy, who had a trial with Liverpool before he joined Wigan from Hamilton Academical four years ago, doesn't expect to walk into the Blues' starting XI, though, despite his prior association with Martinez at the DW Stadium.

"[Roberto] is a very good manager," he said. "You can see he likes to play football. It is always pleasing on the eye for people watching.

"It is great to be here with him and hopefully I can stamp my authority on the team and get as many starts under my belt as possible.

"But I have got real competition at the club. There are a lot of big names here. If I need to bide my time, I will bide my time."

McCarthy expressed his disappointment at Giovanni Trapattoni's departure from his post as manager of the Republic of Ireland national team, however. The Italian was dismissed from the post after Tuesday evening's 1-0 defeat to Austria that effectively ends their bid to play the World Cup Finals in Brazil next year.

“He stuck by me, gave me my chance and has been good for my career, so I'm disappointed to see him go," McCarthy told evertontv. "I'm gutted, to be honest.

“It's just one of those things. The FAI have had a meeting today and decided it's the time for him to go. Like I say, it's disappointing because the players enjoyed working with him.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports

Reader Comments (46)

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Ross Edwards
1 Posted 11/09/2013 at 21:25:01

Excellent. Hope he is a good signing. We'll find out soon enough.

Norman Merrill
2 Posted 11/09/2013 at 21:26:50

I watched young McCarthy at Wigan, against Premier teams & he held his own in midfield, in fact he stood out at times, he is a couple of years older than Ross Barkley, & they hopefully are our future.

John Zapa
3 Posted 11/09/2013 at 21:31:45

Not sure if he will be able to justify the fee paid. If a club overpays on a player, it creates a lot of unnecessary pressure on the player. Never a good way to start at a club.

Derek Knox
4 Posted 11/09/2013 at 21:44:02

Quite impressed with the lad's down to earth nature, he doesn't seem to be fazed at all by the price tag, which can often turn into an albatross or millstone!

It will be interesting to see if he, Gareth Barry, or both will play against Chelsea on Saturday.

Either way, can't wait till Saturday, as it has seemed, with the Transfer Theatre, the Internationals, an eternity since we last played Cardiff!

COYB

Phil Davies
5 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:01:45

He's much better suited to Martinez's style of football to what Fellaini was, Hopefully he'll hit the ground running and I have no doubt that he'll be a success because he has the right attitude.

Kev Johnson
6 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:06:10

I'm afraid to say the boy lacks charisma off the pitch as well as on. I have serious doubts about him.

He will circulate the ball, to be sure, but he needs to learn to be more progressive, more creative, more constructive, more dangerous, more influential. CAN you learn those things? I'm not sure that you can!

Michael Winstanley
7 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:37:07

Kev, I think that's Barkley's job you've described, I'd be surprised if that will be his role. I would hazard a guess Barry and McCarthy will play in front of the back four and look to play it to our creative players.

Liam Reilly
8 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:35:20

Jesus Kev,
We didn't buy Xavi. Give the boy a chance. I remember a young Roy Keane going to Forest and not really seen what all the fuss was about.

Keane rates McCarthy (high praise indeed) and sees a special player once he improves his confidence.

Here's hoping.

John Ford
9 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:38:04

Kev, didn't Gravesen do just that? From midfield mr average to world beater, to Real Madrid?

There's no evidence at this stage that this lad will have anything like the influence of Fellaini. So I'm counting/hoping on him developing his trade and at some point becoming a top player.

Ian Bennett
10 Posted 11/09/2013 at 22:46:25

I think McCarthy offers young legs, a good passing ability and will offer fine defensive glue in front of the back four we need to take us forward. He was expensive, although I can see why Roberto went back for him.

We have all complained about Neville, Osman, the fragility of Gibson, and the lack of passing from Fellaini in the recent past. Well, Roberto has seen that, and looked to solve the point with 3 good signings and some funds left over. I just hope the windfall doesn't get to cover the lawn mower parts, as the gaffer still needs to clear the deadwood.

Kevin Tully
11 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:10:06

Kev # 244 , as Walter used to so eloquently state ; 'Disappointing!'

Peter Warren
12 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:04:52

We have needed a midfielder who can dominate the game in the centre. Gibson does a decent job when fully fit but ordinarily we are are overran in the middle.

I actually think Barry is a really good signing. McCarthy I know little about and can't say I've ever noticed him stand out. Hopefully, he can be that player for us. RM must believe in him to pay £13m.

Jamie Sweet
13 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:09:14

The price tag does look a touch high, but 22 year old FA Cup winning midfielders, with nearly 20 full internationals and over 100 Premier League games under their belt don't grow on trees.

Considering the fact he could end up running our engine room for the next decade, this could turn out to be a cracking piece of business in the long-run.

I don't think he's the type of player that will be grabbing the headlines too often, but he'll be one of those where you just know you're a far better team with him on the pitch than when he isn't.

He'll keep us ticking, his style suits this posession based football, and he's defensively very strong.

I can also see him improving further, adding more of a box-to-box element to his game and contributing a bit more in the final third.

I'm excitied to see what the lad can do for us. I hope he ends up making £13m seem like a steal!

Jackie Barry
14 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:38:23

Put it this way, he will be better than Carsley, Horne, Gravesen and Gibson. I bet on him surprising many of his doubters eventually too. As for his price tag, well that is hardly his fault is it?

Tom Bowers
15 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:39:43

This lad may be just what Everton need. Fresh young legs for a midfield that has had obvious weaknesses for some time. If you add to this the bonus of Barkley's maturity then the future looks good.

All we need is the goals from those on offence to get into the winning frame of mind and why not against Chelski.despite their billionaire players.

Colin Glassar
16 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:42:45

I think we are going to have to be a bit more patient. Gibson, McCarthy and Barry have never played together before and they will only get a day or two together before the game on saturday so don't expect miracles. After a while they will gel and we will have a seriously good MF.

Kev Johnson
17 Posted 11/09/2013 at 23:46:31

Here's hoping indeed, Liam. I know he's highly rated, but I just can't see what the fuss is about. He strikes me as rather dull - and when I say that I don't dismiss all non-creative midfield as dull. Carsley and Gibson had/have a wee bit of drive to them that I haven't see in McCarthy. I've never found Barry dull either. Graveson was charismatic to a fault, even if his play was fairly straightforward. I just don't see any personality in JMc's play. Anyway, that's my starting position, but I'll be happy to be proved wrong about this.

John Daley
18 Posted 12/09/2013 at 00:03:59

Whenever I've seen him play (which, admittedly, hasn't been often) he has always put in a decent performance and looked to drive his team on from the middle. He's not the most spectacular to be sure, but not everyone has to be.

We need someone who is capable of dictating the tempo of a game with their passing and switching things up instead of lazily laying off the safe, simple ball every time. Hopefully he can fill that role. I also think he's much more capable defensively than people give him credit for.

He's not going to pop up with goals as often as Fellaini did but in other areas he's an improvement on what we had.

Stats from last season:

McCarthy:
Pass accuracy: 87%
Average passes per game : 58
Long passes per game : 4.7
Average defensive actions : 4
Tackle success : 75%
Successful tackles per game : 1.9

Fellaini:
Pass accuracy: 79%
Average passes per game : 53
Long passes per game : 1.8
Average defensive actions : 4
Tackle success : 73%
Successful tackles per game : 1.9

Gibson:
Pass accuracy: 82%
Average passes per game : 50
Long passes per game : 5
Average defensive actions : 3
Tackle success : 61%
Successful tackles per game : 1.2

Jim Knightley
19 Posted 12/09/2013 at 00:07:50

Fellaini's defensive stats are very impressive, in view of his significant attacking contribution.

13mil is too much for McCarthy imo, but I think the price has to be considered relative to Fellaini's, and the unexpected 4million extra. He is a good young player for sure, and it will be interesting who starts on Saturday, in view of the potential 5 players vying for 3 starting positions.

Harold Matthews
20 Posted 12/09/2013 at 00:34:07

Might take a few games to get the best eleven sorted but there are exciting times ahead.

Peter Thistle
21 Posted 12/09/2013 at 04:45:28

He seems a good player from what I've seen of him. A neat and tidy footballer who doesn't dwell on the ball, knows what to do and does it quickly. Should fit into the system well.

David Chait
22 Posted 12/09/2013 at 07:10:27

Geez I miss Arteta....

Tony Sullivan
23 Posted 12/09/2013 at 08:12:37

Despite Fellaini's so called impressive stats, my last memory of him in an Everton shirt....was giving up against Wigan and being withdrawn by the manager.

Mike Iddon
24 Posted 12/09/2013 at 08:59:46

Saw him play for Wigan last season at home to QPR (don't ask) and he was the best person on the pitch by a mile; passing, vision, movement and scored 2 goals in a 2-2 draw. If he develops this boy could be the real deal. Need to give him a chance.

Craig Fletcher
25 Posted 12/09/2013 at 08:52:34

Hopefully it shouldn't take McCarthy long to settle at Everton. He's had a couple of years PL experience already, and is familiar with many of his new teammates, unlike when Fellaini started out at Everton as a point of comparison.

Mark Jones
26 Posted 12/09/2013 at 09:40:25

Starting XI this weekend?

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Barry Osman
Mirallas Barkley Pienaar
Kone

But then for the following match McCarthy and Lukaku will replace Osman and Kone.

Iain Love
27 Posted 12/09/2013 at 10:03:56

He can control and pass the ball better than what we have at the moment.

If you look at it a different way, we now have two young central midfielders that are full of promise and should complement each other's game, aided by either of two experienced defensive midfielders.

We also have two of the most exciting wide men in the Prem and a 20-year-old potential Drogba up front. Our back four is possibly the best in the Prem with quality backup, and a decent choice of goalie.

I'm looking forward to this season more and more.

Drew Shortis
28 Posted 12/09/2013 at 10:42:12

I would put McCarthy alongside Barry straight away. We have all seen that Osman is not suited to the deep role any more. McCarty has had a pre-season with Wigan and has been playing for them in the Championship as well as for the Republic so he should be fit and sharp. Martinez knows him well and James knows what Martinez expects him to do. I think he will become an integral part of our team for years to come and I hope he can get the team moving forward quicker and get Martinez's system working the way he envisions it.

Mark Jones
29 Posted 12/09/2013 at 11:07:38

I expect Osman to start ahead of McCarthy on this one occasion because McCarthy hasn't even trained with the team yet, plus he's just had two lots of 90 mins whilst Osman will be totally fresh.

But, yeah I agree, get McCarthy in ahead of Ossie ASAP.

John Brennan
30 Posted 12/09/2013 at 10:30:37

Mark

Is that your own choice, or is it the team you believe Roberto will pick? You probably aren't too far off, anyway.

Against Chelsea, as you have indicated, I would definitely start Barry, and play him for 90 mins. It seems Mirallas hasn't exactly pulled up any trees so far this season, but, yes, I would start him and reassess after the first 45 mins.

If Kone looks isolated, I would still leave him on, and introduce Jelavic at around 60 mins, because I want to see us win, not draw, even against a Champions League team. If losing, bring on Deulofeu as well as Jelavic, and take off any two of Pienaar, Osman or Mirallas, and push Coleman and Baines further forward.

I've no idea if Gibson is ready to return to the fold, but, obviously, I wouldn't start him. McCarthy is available, but might need some bedding in. I wouldn't start him. They (Gibson or McCarthy) might be able to do something if we are still at nil-nil after 70 odd minutes. Hopefully, its all nonsense, as we will be 2-0 up with 20 mins to go!!!

COYB!!!!

Mark Jones
31 Posted 12/09/2013 at 11:07:38

John - that's the team I expect RM to start with v Chelsea.

Once you bring McCarthy in for Osman and Lukaku in for Kone, I think that's pretty much our best eleven. Though Gibson and Deulofeu might have something to say about that. And I really hope Alcaraz puts Distin under pressure, because Alcaraz is a heck of a player when fit.

James Martin
32 Posted 12/09/2013 at 11:50:04

Why is Gibson being pushed out of the team so easily? If he's fit I would class him as our first choice centre mid as we look a hundred times better with him in the team than when he's out. Its up to McCarthy or Barry to dislodge him not the other way around.

Gibson's passing is more penetrative than either of theirs and considering that against Chelsea we probably won't be seeing a whole ton of the ball, a player who is disciplined defensively with the range to launch attacks may be a better option than those who like to link the play further up the pitch. If fit I'd start Gibson against Chelsea no problem.

Alan Smith
33 Posted 12/09/2013 at 11:59:04

I wouldn't start him. Not as good defensively as Barry or McCarthy, not as quick either even though barry isn't that fast. RM doesn't want to play the long ball game, his only strength.

Sitting in and not moving isn't good positional sense. Especially when the opposition always runs through him all the time.

The players who need to be dislodged are Osman and Barkley as they are ones currently in the side and with the help of Fellaini controlled the Midfield in all three league games. So it should be Ossie, Barkley plus one other IMHO

Phil Sammon
34 Posted 12/09/2013 at 12:33:27

James Martin

Because Gibbo isn't fit. Having said that, how fit is Barry likely to be? Has he played for City this season?

Kev Johnson
35 Posted 12/09/2013 at 13:45:58

I can see Barry and McCarthy more or less sharing the position this weekend. Barry won't be match fit yet and McCarthy will be a semi-knackered after the Ireland games. GIbson's definitely unavailable.

David Hallwood
36 Posted 12/09/2013 at 14:03:46

Agreement all round. You can't have a CM partnership that have never played together, it will be Ossie and A N Other or Gibson if fit.

Ian Hams
37 Posted 12/09/2013 at 09:50:22

Is Gibson fit for saturday? If so, he will surely be a starter.

Mark Tanton
38 Posted 12/09/2013 at 15:12:44

I imagine both Barry and McCarthy will start. One replaces Fellaini and one replaces Osman. I think Lukaku might have come straight in too if it hadn't been his parent club first up.

Steavey Buckley
39 Posted 12/09/2013 at 15:14:47

Fellaini scored 11 goals from midfield last season besides...................

James Martin
40 Posted 12/09/2013 at 15:44:12

Steavey I odn't think we'll be looking to replace Fellaini's goals from the midfielders (besides which an accurate comparison would be with Barkley who could well get up by that figure). Hopefully the replacement will come with a strike force scoring goals because they don't have a player out of position behind them and a game plan built aorund the left back floating crosses in for his head. Any sort of decent yield from Lukaku Jelavic and Kone will see those 11 goals easily put back into the team.

Mark Jones
41 Posted 12/09/2013 at 17:39:46

RM has already ruled out Gibson for Chelsea, which is why I didn't put him in the team in my earlier post. Watch RMs press conference on the OS and you'll see he says neither Gibson nor Alcaraz will be ready this weekend.

Mark Taylor
42 Posted 12/09/2013 at 18:11:33

In the way these things are, I assume McCarthy is preparing the ground for not being in the starting line up this weekend. There are some mitigating factors there- having played 2 full games and no chance to train with the team- but beyond that, I very much hope that £13m has bought us someone good enough to go straight into the team!

Like some others, I fear we've overpaid for him because of the Wigan connection (there were some seriously good players on the market for not much more than his fee) but obviously we need to reserve judgment until we've seen him for a decent period.

Drew O'Neall
43 Posted 12/09/2013 at 18:30:05

Mark I think it's the wages-connection rather than the Wigan-conection.. Cheap to keep, that's what we need.

Mark Taylor
44 Posted 12/09/2013 at 18:38:40

Agree wages are part of the equation but he's have to be very cheap to keep to make £13m acceptable for a bench warmer!

Pat Finegan
45 Posted 12/09/2013 at 20:40:17

Anyone else think that with all these CMs a 4-3-3 looks a real possibility? Gibson, Barry and McCarthy in MF. 3 of Mirallas, Lukaku, Jelavic, Kone, Pienaar, Deulofeu or Barkley up front.

David Ellis
46 Posted 13/09/2013 at 05:07:33

Pat - crikey - hope not. That would be a very defensive/passive looking side.

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