From luxury to necessity: Everton 28-year-old is most improved player in 2016
By Emma Sanders
Football Insider chooses the most improved player for Everton in 2016 as the year draws to a close.
Seamus Coleman has become one of Everton’s most important players and he has gone up another level in 2016 despite already setting high standards.
He was a luxury last year because he emerged as one of the best defenders in the squad despite making a quiet rise through the first team ranks but he has now become one of the best full-backs in the league and is crucial to the success of the team.
The right-back has been brilliant for the Blues this season and was instrumental in the summer for the Republic of Ireland as they competed at the European Championships.
He has already started 13 league games this season for Everton and without him in the side, they looked much weaker in defence because he offers so much.
Not only is he consistently strong defensively, he is determined to push forward at any opportunity and can provide some great deliveries into the box.
His crossing is top notch but he also has an eye for goal too and he’s already added three goals to his tally in the Premier League this season.
In 2015 he was a regular starter but in 2016 he has developed into one of Everton’s star players and based on the opening five months of the season, he’ll be in the running for the club’s Player of the Year award.
From a luxury full-back to an instrumental one, Coleman’s place in the Everton side has grown massively in the last 12 months and it would be no surprise to see him shine in Monday night’s Merseyside derby.
In 2016, he made 48 appearances for the Toffees, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
In other Everton news, this is who was named the Player of the Year for the Blues.