JAMIE CARRAGHER HAS told James McCarthy that he needs to start scoring goals if he wants to take his game to the next level.
Goal-shy McCarthy scored in Everton’s 3-0 win at Newcastle last weekend, but it’s only his second in the Premier League in more than 50 games for the Toffees.
Carragher is a huge fan of the Ireland international and described him as a “complete midfielder”, but he believes his lack of firepower is a weak spot.
He hopes that McCarthy can follow the example set by Jordan Henderson who has exploded to life this season with five goals and seven assists in the league for Liverpool.
“I love McCarthy. I think he’s a brilliant player,” Carragher said in Dublin this week.
“If there was one player I could take from Everton to Liverpool it would be James McCarthy. I think he’s just got to add goals.
“I think Jordan Henderson was maybe at that stage a year ago, where you really like what you see but there could be a few more goals or assists to take him up another level.
Even though James McCarthy plays a more defensive role, he’s shown he can get forward. He’s a complete midfield player – he works hard, he can tackle, he can pass. I think eventually he’ll be the captain there.
After struggling with injuries which saw him miss practically all of December and January, McCarthy appears to be returning to form — just in time for Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland.
While Everton have struggled this season, and still sit just six points above the relegation zone, he has proved himself to be indispensable when fit.
Carragher said: “I spoke to Roberto Martinez about two months ago about the bad run and he said, ‘There’s only one player we can’t replace in the squad and that’s James McCarthy.’ No other player in the squad gives them what he gives them.
“I’ve highlighted him plenty of times on MNF, the work he does and the cover he gives Seamus Coleman. Seamus Coleman likes to bomb forward and the work McCarthy does for him getting back, he allows that.
“I’m sure that’s something they want to do in the Ireland team as well.”
He added: “I think him and Gareth Barry do so much work for the full-backs – Leighton Baines on one side, Coleman on the other. They’re always filling in whey they go forward.
“So James McCarthy spends half his time at right back when I watch Everton, and that’s not a criticism, I think that’s a tactical thing from Roberto Martinez.
I’d class Henderson now as one of the top midfielders in the country – with the goals and assists he’s getting – and James McCarthy, if he could add more goals, I think I’d be saying the same about him.
“I love him as a player, love watching him, but I think to be classed as one of the best in the league he probably needs to add a few more goals and assists to his game.
“But that may come with maybe being a bit more adventurous if Roberto Martinez allows that or wants that.”
Carlsberg have officially launched their 2015 #JOINTHEGREATS campaign, giving 20 Irish football fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on Liverpool FC’s hallowed Anfield turf with their mate. Enter via Carlsberg Football’s Facebook page
No comments on this really striking compared to the rugby. Nobody cares about soccer anymore
@Gary Galligan: that’s your opinion you handycap
@Treaty Jim: most of the comments on rugby are from sad little Ewan McKenna ball fondlers in fairness. Wouldn’t say all the comments mean people are interested in rugby, just that a certain element with a chip on their shoulder hate it.
@Treaty Jim: Classy reply. I suppose it illustrates the different between a Rugby fan and…. well a premier league team fan.
@Treaty Jim: stay classy San Diego ya wouldn’t say it to me face big guy lol
@Gary Galligan: yes we’re good at rugby and I know its hard to draw comparisons on the two because they are completely different sports but I’m fairness just on the basis of participation it’s a lot easier to be better at rugby than. There’s about 10 competive test nations playing rugby and a few more on the periphery compare that to the strength in depth of international footballs teams and well obviously going to be a lot harder
@Gary Galligan: there’s a difference between not caring and not having anything new to say.
@Gary Galligan: brilliant.but ya the soccer is hard to watch when the rugby is on.
@Gary Galligan: watch out everyone Gary is a hard man
@Paul Linehan: oh the same Ulster fan that abused Brennan who subsequently broke his jaw, yeah classy
@Gary Galligan: kind of true i didnt even watch it
@Gary Galligan: The fact that the Irish footballers went on without a win for so long probably doesn’t help. The team (rather unfortunately) isn’t in the Irish public consciousness as much as they once used to be. Hopefully, those special times will come again someday! #COYBIG