Killybegs native Seamus Coleman is arguably the first name on the teamsheet for Martin O'Neill when he picks his Ireland team, and while the former Sligo Rovers defender enjoys the same luxury at his club, that has been suggested as one of the reasons why Coleman's club form has seemingly dipped to a unprecedented low.
The Liverpool Echo today published an article titled "Seamus Coleman - What's gone wrong? How Everton fans aren't too worried about full back missing Anfield", and in it the writer, without going in two-footed in fairness, listed a number of possible reasons why Coleman is not performing to the levels he has previously reached in the Premier League.
With Euro 2016 on the horizon, it is vitally important for Ireland that Seamus Coleman not only stays fit but continues to play regularly, although the encouraging performances of Derby County's Cyrus Christie have made the thought of losing Coleman less catastrophic for the boys in green as it would have been this time last year.
That sort of backup option waiting in the wings is not something Everton have been able to enjoy, and as such, it has been suggested that a lack of competition for his place is the reason Coleman hasn't been as eager to impress as he once was.
He started the 2014/15 season well but injuries and a collective loss of form meant Coleman's career trajectory was stunted, and his overall performance this season has compounded the shoots of worry that appeared in the previous campaign.
He has had virtually no competition for his place over the last two seasons and is also suffering from a lack of a consistent wing partner in front of him. Tyias Browning filled in respectably when the 27-year-old picked up a knock against Chelsea, but as soon as Coleman regained fitness he was straight back in the side, and Browning's season-ending injury eliminated the small competition that the no.23 had for his position.
As well as this, Arouna Kone, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon have all occupied the space in front of him this season. The constant changing of personnel in front of him has not helped him get back into a fluid rhythm, he's constantly had to cater for the different qualities bestowed on the aforementioned quintet.
There have been some mitigating factors as to why Coleman hasn't been at his best for a prolonged period of time, but ultimately the buck stops with him.
Aside from being guaranteed his place in the side, another reason for Coleman's apparent drop in form that was suggested was his lack of evolution as a full back. The article claims that Coleman has essentially been found out by opposing Premier League teams and his runs are now being tracked, thus mitigating the damage that has been caused.
Opposing teams eventually realised his preferred moves and runs, and have stifled his attacking presence with relative ease over the last few months. The best players are always innovating and improving their game, but it's fair to say the £60,000 man hasn't changed his approach enough - if at all.
This suggestion is the most plausible, as we have noticed Coleman cutting a frustrated figure on a number of occasions and being caught high up the pitch in possession, but the Everton squad as a whole could be accused of lacking any sort of tactical evolution, in fact arguably going backwards quite quickly, so to single out Coleman for that does seem a tad harsh.
The entire crux of the article is that Coleman is no longer badly missed by the fans when he is unavailable for Everton, something that is difficult to deny. There is absolutely no doubt that he will take his place as Ireland's first-choice right-back for the entirety of the Euro 2016 finals should he stay fit and healthy, but the suggestion that he is slowly losing that earned right at his club makes for interesting reading from an Irish point of view.
It should be noted that the piece has seemingly been well received by Everton fans, suggesting that they do not have the same confidence in their starting full-back that the Irish fans heading to France will have.
Are you worried about Seamus Coleman's club form? Get in touch and let us know. You can read the Coleman article in full over on LiverpoolEcho.co.uk.
