Kilbane: Coleman Experience Crucial To Exciting Walcott Link-Up

Seamus Coleman’s experience of playing as a winger earlier in his career will help him form a strong right-flank partnership with Theo Walcott, according to Kevin Kilbane.

The former Everton man demonstrated plenty of versatility in his own playing days, featuring up and down the left wing and in central midfield for the likes of Wigan and Hull City alongside his three-year spell with the Toffees.

After arriving from Sligo Rovers in 2009, Coleman was handed his initial first-team chance on the right of the Everton midfield, making his Premier League debut against Tottenham in that position in the October of that year, going onto have a hand in both goals in a 2-2 draw. The Irishman also played in that position during a loan spell with Blackpool in 2010.

The 29-year-old has since gone on to establish himself as the Blues' first-choice right-back, and Kilbane feels that experience further up the pitch will prove pivotal as Coleman and Walcott look to build on the promising half season they spent together on the Everton right.

“That will benefit Seamus in terms of helping to understand more what is required from the man in front of him – and how you can help him,” Kilbane, now a BBC Sport pundit, told evertonfc.com.

“It was forced on me because of the way I played. I knew how to get the best out of the man in front of me and it was in my mind when I was playing.

“That partnership between Seamus and Theo Walcott is key. You have the team environment but within that structure you create your own little partnerships.

“Seamus has played as a right-winger so he knows the role Theo is playing, and Seamus will know how to get the best out of him from a wide man’s perspective.

“It is one of the relationships I am really looking forward to seeing unfold over the next year.

“It could be great for Everton. It has the makings of being something really, really good.”



Coleman’s form since making his return from 10 months out against Leicester City back in January belied the length of his absence from the team.

Kilbane says there are “few better full-backs in the Premier League” than his fellow Irishman, and believes Coleman has had a big effect on the younger players within the Everton squad, much as Tony Hibbert had on him during his three years at Goodison from 2003 to 2006.

“It is important that younger players look up to senior pros,” he added. “You have to mention the coaches, of course, but it is also the players you are around, their calibre and mentality. There are a number of factors that can help a player develop – and if you have the right environment that helps.

“For the likes of Jonjoe Kenny, I do not think there is any better full-back in the Premier League in the past seven or eight years for him to look up to.

“I remember Seamus talking about Tony Hibbert and what he did to help him improve as a footballer, certainly from a defensive point of view.

“That is what Jonjoe can do now. He can look at all aspects of Seamus’ game and that will help him develop as a player.”