'Exposed' - National media shares fear over Everton ace in 4.5/10 int'l rating

Everton veteran Seamus Coleman has seen the best of his Republic of Ireland days in the past, according to Balls.ie.

The Irish publication [7 September] offered their player ratings for the Irish team in their 2-0 defeat by England, as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish returned to haunt the Aviva Stadium.

Coleman, who started at the back for the hosts in Dublin, was given just a 4.5/10 for his performance.

Reporter Eoin Harrington noted: “His pace was exposed on a few occasions and he misplaced a few passes, but Coleman displayed a level of defensive savvy that many in the Irish team did not in the first half.

“He bought a foul well from Anthony Gordon in the opening moments, and was generally the first on the scene to give support to Nathan Collins. Nonetheless, one does fear that Coleman’s best days in an Ireland shirt are behind him at this stage.

“Came off with a knock just before the hour mark.”

The Irish Daily Mirror (7 September), who scored him a 5/10, added of Coleman: “While he continued to lead the team with passion and pride, he really struggled against the pace of Gordon.”

Everton captain Seamus Coleman struggles v England

It was a pretty rough ride for Coleman against former Everton man Lee Carsley and his England team.

The viewpoint that his best international performances are in his rear view mirror are accurate given the Toffees skipper’s age – he is 36 next month and first made his Irish bow just three years after Carsley last appeared in a green shirt as a player.

Despite the shortcomings that have arrived with his advancing age, it was important for Sean Dyche that Coleman signed a new deal in the summer.

It was originally assumed that one of he or 39-year-old Ashley Young would have to be sacrificed as a free agent, but both have been tied down for an additional year in a beneficial move for the training ground and dressing room.

Young has endured a difficult start to the campaign, sent off on the opening weekend, whilst Coleman has just returned from an injury issue which saw youngster Roman Dixon fill in at right-back. The hope will be that his knock on Saturday is not a further concern.

He has been a vital cog for Ireland down the years but must now be managed in relation to the twilight years of his career, in order to prolong his importance to the side.

In other Everton news, a look at Idrissa Gana Gueye on international duty.

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