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16th Jul 2015

White Lies: The Jim White Transfer Rumour Bullshit-ometer Column

The truth is out there and Jim knows where it is

Eric Lalor

The truth is out there and Jim knows where it is.

We look into the cesspit of lies and deceit that is the transfer rumour mill and pick out one rumour for dissection and appraisal.

Player: James McCarthy – Everton

SINGAPORE - JULY 15:  James McCarthy of Everton in action during the Barclays Asia Trophy match between Everton and Stoke City at National Stadium on July 15, 2015 in Singapore.  (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

Rumour: Cash rich Manchester City are rumoured to be sniffing around the Republic of Ireland international midfielder.

The word is that they see him as a viable alternative to their failed attempt to sign Fabian Delph from Aston Villa. Turns out that Delph likes playing football on a weekly basis. Who knew?

He decided that he didn’t fancy sitting down on benches for long parts of the season and chose to stay and play regularly at Villa Park.

bench

The fact remains that unless you are among the elite of world footballers, you cannot be guaranteed a starting spot at the Etihad in the blue of Manchester City.

James McCarthy, as good a player in the Premier League as he is, is not an elite footballer and therefore his game time at City would be at best, minimal.

He’s a central part to the plans of Roberto Martinez who gave not one, but two reasons as to why this transfer will not happen.

SINGAPORE - JULY 15:  Manager of Everton Roberto Martinez speaks to James McCarthy of Everton during the Barclays Asia Trophy match between Everton and Stoke City at National Stadium on July 15, 2015 in Singapore.  (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)

“There are two reasons why James McCarthy is not for sale. The first is that Everton are a club that has balanced its books, it is not a club that needs to sell anybody. ”

“The second is that James McCarthy has been a strong performer for me for a number of seasons. I know exactly how he performs, he is a central part of my plans so the answer would be no.”

Likelihood: Well it seems Martinez has quashed any hope of it happening and to be honest, we can’t see it happening either.

McCarthy is a decent Premier League player in a decent Premier League team and if he were to join City, he would be a tiny fish in a big ocean and would remain on the fringes untill he’s sold to Stoke in two years time.

Over to you Jim

Jim White Rating:

JimWhiteIcebucket

Just like Jim, we are pouring lots of cold water on this rumour. Not a hope of it happening.