Heimir Hallgrimsson Eyes Everton Talent as Seamus Coleman Remains in Plans

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed that Seamus Coleman remains an integral part of his plans, despite the player’s limited action this season. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching against Hungary and Armenia, Hallgrimsson has named a 23-man squad while also revealing his interest in Everton’s new signing, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who joined the club from Leicester City for £29 million this summer.

Coleman has not featured for Everton this season and has made just 215 minutes of play in the current Premier League campaign after struggling with injuries. Hallgrimsson noted that the selection process for the squad was particularly challenging due to the form of many players. He emphasized that while Coleman is fit and eager to contribute, it would not be appropriate to include a player who has not played competitively for nearly a year.

Hallgrimsson stated, “We went to Everton training ground and spoke with our players, and the coach, and he’s close to playing. He is in the squad, his numbers and training are good, and he’s eager to start. Hopefully, he’ll get minutes and he might even play in the League Cup tonight.”

The Ireland manager expressed a keen interest in Dewsbury-Hall, who he believes could make a significant impact. Although Dewsbury-Hall has not publicly indicated a desire to represent Ireland, Hallgrimsson is open to pursuing the matter, saying, “He’s one that we have heard has a heritage, but I’m not going to speak for him. It’s better that you speak to him about if he wants or not, but there has not been any kind of approach for him.”

In addition to Dewsbury-Hall, Hallgrimsson mentioned Louie Barry, the Aston Villa midfielder currently on loan at Sheffield United, as a player who has caught his attention. Barry, 22, has previously represented Ireland at the under-16 level but has played for England up to under-18s. Having spent time at Barcelona prior to his tenure at Villa, where he has primarily played on loan, Barry remains a potential option for the national team.

Hallgrimsson remarked, “We watched him last season in League One and he’s a little different, he’s really direct. He has good individual skills, but let’s see how he copes with a step upwards.”

As the Republic of Ireland prepares for their upcoming qualifiers, Hallgrimsson’s focus on both seasoned players like Coleman and emerging talents demonstrates his commitment to building a competitive squad capable of achieving success on the international stage. The manager’s proactive approach signals a clear strategy as he looks to navigate the challenges ahead.