AT 27, SEAMUS Coleman is a senior figure in both the Ireland and Everton dressing rooms these days.
As well as being one of the Premier League’s top full-backs, the Donegal man has recently replaced Robbie Keane as captain of the Boys in Green after taking the armband at Euro 2016.
But Coleman remains an extremely well-rounded individual, who is clearly grateful for everything he’s got having worked hard to reach the top.
After getting his first chance in senior football with Sligo Rovers, David Moyes took a punt on him — paying just £60,000 to the Bit O’Red for the 20-year-old in January 2009.
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And, although Coleman admits struggling to cope with the move early on, it turned out to be an absolute steal.
Now he is worried about the modern game as young players, who are often earning huge sums of money before they even break into the first team, are becoming increasingly concerned about their image, social media and material goods.
“I think a 15 or 16-year-old coming over from a place like Ireland really needs help,” Coleman told the Daily Mail. “They need someone protecting them or looking after them.
“It’s a big bad world out there in football and it’s easy for a young footballer to be sucked into a certain way of life.
“If I see a footballer with a Louis Vuitton wash bag I wonder what that does to others. If you are the only young lad in the changing room without one then you feel that pressure that you need to go out and get one. Even if you don’t want one or even like one.
Coleman during his League of Ireland days with Sligo Rovers. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“That’s what I think is wrong with football. It’s completely wrong. Your job is to train well and play well on Saturday and do well week in, week out. That’s your job. Your job isn’t to be going out and buying the best of everything just because someone else is.
But they feel they all need to have the best because of the pressure. They think they need to look good on their Instagram pictures. They think they have to follow the leader but they are just kids — boys.
“They need protecting, good people looking after them. Parents and agents and people who have their best interests at heart. But sometimes it isn’t the case.
“How do you change it? I don’t know. I just hate the thought of a young player in a dressing room feeling worried because seven of the lads have something that he doesn’t have.”
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Louis Vuitton wash bags and looking good on Instagram: Coleman fears for the modern game
AT 27, SEAMUS Coleman is a senior figure in both the Ireland and Everton dressing rooms these days.
As well as being one of the Premier League’s top full-backs, the Donegal man has recently replaced Robbie Keane as captain of the Boys in Green after taking the armband at Euro 2016.
But Coleman remains an extremely well-rounded individual, who is clearly grateful for everything he’s got having worked hard to reach the top.
After getting his first chance in senior football with Sligo Rovers, David Moyes took a punt on him — paying just £60,000 to the Bit O’Red for the 20-year-old in January 2009.
And, although Coleman admits struggling to cope with the move early on, it turned out to be an absolute steal.
Now he is worried about the modern game as young players, who are often earning huge sums of money before they even break into the first team, are becoming increasingly concerned about their image, social media and material goods.
“I think a 15 or 16-year-old coming over from a place like Ireland really needs help,” Coleman told the Daily Mail. “They need someone protecting them or looking after them.
“It’s a big bad world out there in football and it’s easy for a young footballer to be sucked into a certain way of life.
“If I see a footballer with a Louis Vuitton wash bag I wonder what that does to others. If you are the only young lad in the changing room without one then you feel that pressure that you need to go out and get one. Even if you don’t want one or even like one.
“That’s what I think is wrong with football. It’s completely wrong. Your job is to train well and play well on Saturday and do well week in, week out. That’s your job. Your job isn’t to be going out and buying the best of everything just because someone else is.
“They need protecting, good people looking after them. Parents and agents and people who have their best interests at heart. But sometimes it isn’t the case.
“How do you change it? I don’t know. I just hate the thought of a young player in a dressing room feeling worried because seven of the lads have something that he doesn’t have.”
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Seamus coleman Ireland Republic the youth of today