Seamus Coleman wears the captain’s armband with immense pride for his country
The Everton full-back may not have been available for Ireland’s crushing 5-1 defeat at the hands of Denmark in the World Cup play-off last year, but he still felt a sense of duty to console his crestfallen teammates on the Aviva Stadium pitch.
Something of a born leader, you can imagine how delighted the 29-year-old was to lead Everton out in Marco Silva’s first home game in charge.
Phil Jagielka, who has been the Toffees skipper since 2013, was suspended following his red card on the opening day against Wolves.
Although Leighton Baines, who is officially Everton’s vice-captain – not to mention a man with over 400 appearances for them – started Saturday’s win over Southampton, Silva plumped for Coleman.
The Donegal man was understandably delighted with his new manager’s decision.
“I have my own standards, with or without the armband, but it is a big honour to captain this club at any level and I am very proud to do it in the Premier League,” Coleman said.
“We wanted to start at home as we mean to go on. The fans were looking forward to the new regime, a new manager and new players, and we needed to put on a show, which I thought we did. And more importantly, we got the three points.
“We are really enjoying having Richarlison in the team for the attacking quality he provides but also for his work ethic.
“The attacking players linked up brilliantly at times. They were great and very lively in front of goal.
“We are really enjoying having Richarlison in the team for the attacking quality he provides but also for his work ethic.
“But it was not just him. I thought Theo was great, Cenk (Tosun) held the ball up brilliantly and Gylfi (Sigurdsson) always puts in a great shift. They all did really well.”
With Jagielka serving a three-match suspension, it seems likely Coleman will retain the captaincy for next week’s trip to Bournemouth.
