Irish midfielder James McCarthy has endured a slightly troubled time since breaking his umbilical chord with Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard managed McCarthy at Wigan before whisking him away to join Everton, meaning that this season is McCarthy's first in England without Martinez as his manager.
McCarthy has struggled to break into Ronald Koeman's team at Goodison, with his initial impact not straying beyond finding himself at the heart of a row between Koeman and the Irish management team.
In the last few weeks, however, McCarthy has nudged his way into the first-team, and was arguably Everton's most influential player in the frenzied first-half of the Merseyside Derby.
Injury struck in that game, however, and McCarthy has yet to return. The Irish midfielder may now find himself in the odd quandary of one of his finest Everton performances being his last, as events are conspiring to see McCarthy leave Goodison.
Ronald Koeman ended yesterday's FA Cup capitulation to Leicester by confirming transfer activity this month is likely, with the most likely move being the signing of Morgan Schniederlin from Manchester United, whom Koeman worked with at Southampton.
While Schneiderlin will predominately be seen as the long-term replacement for Gareth Barry, it will also undermine McCarthy's status in the squad, and the Daily Mail are today reporting that two clubs have made enquiries for McCarthy. One of those clubs is West Brom, who are also vying with Everton for Schneiderlin's signing. The second is Aston Villa, as Steve Bruce wishes to add McCarthy to a side pushing for the playoffs in the Championship.
We'll wait to see how this plays out, but surely a drop down the divisions would be a terrible move for McCarthy?
