Everton defender Seamus Coleman produced an 'immense' display for the Republic of Ireland against Portugal on international duty, and he might have given David Moyes a dilemma ahead of the return of the Premier League.
Coleman has struggled for minutes for the Toffees this season, playing just two minutes in total in the Premier League. The Irish international recently turned 37, and he was tasked with starting on the right-hand side of defence for his country as they faced Portugal in an important World Cup qualifier, facing stars such as Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Pedro Neto.
The experienced defender played 86 minutes for Ireland before being substituted, and he's only played 169 minutes in all competitions for Everton this term. Coleman showed that he's still capable of playing at the highest level and producing strong performances, so it will be interesting to see whether he works his way back into Moyes' plans.
Coleman Gives Moyes Dilemma at Everton
Seamus Coleman
According to Irish outlet Balls, Coleman produced an 'immense' display against Portugal, and the Everton right-back was given a nine out of 10 rating for his performance. It was Coleman's first appearance for his country after over a year, and he slotted back in seamlessly against tough opposition.
Coleman might have given Moyes something to think about, considering he's barely given the 37-year-old a start this season. Coleman has suffered with injuries at times this campaign, but he's putting forward a case to start regularly if he's fit and available. Interestingly, Everton's usual right-back Jake O'Brien, played in the same side as Coleman on Saturday night, but he was deployed at centre-back with Coleman on the right-hand side.
Coleman has been barely-seen this season for the Toffees, but with Moyes utilising a makeshift defender at right-back in O'Brien, it could be time for the Scottish manager to give a player who is a natural in this position a run of games. The fitness of the veteran defender might be a concern, but there's certainly an argument to suggest that he should be playing more than two Premier League minutes throughout the whole campaign.
Up next for Everton is the short trip to Manchester City, and that would be an interesting game to throw Coleman into, against the likes of Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, and Savinho.