The Rise and Fall of James McCarthy: A Career Remembered

James McCarthy was once a driving force in midfield, an unyielding presence at the core of Everton's squad. When he signed for Goodison Park in the summer of 2013 for a club record fee of £13 million from Wigan Athletic, the Republic of Ireland international quickly left his mark with his endless vigor and determination. His tireless running, captured in the fans' chant 'Running, running, running,' won him the affection of Everton supporters, who admired how McCarthy personified the club's fighting spirit.

During his time under Roberto Martinez, McCarthy established a strong partnership with Gareth Barry, who was one of the most seasoned midfielders in the Premier League. Together, they created the backbone for Everton's most successful Premier League season in recent history, achieving 72 points and finishing in fifth place. McCarthy's knack for breaking up play and traversing the pitch was crucial, which earned him recognition as one of the league's most hardworking and dedicated midfielders. Martinez, familiar with McCarthy from their days at Wigan, quickly commended the acquisition, referring to it as a 'secure investment.'

However, despite an encouraging beginning, McCarthy's time at Everton would soon be overshadowed by injuries. The 2013-14 season would mark the peak of his career, as he featured in 34 Premier League matches. Yet, the subsequent seasons were riddled with repeated injury problems, hindering McCarthy's ability to maintain his form and consistency. As Martinez's time at the club began to falter, McCarthy's fitness issues worsened, causing him to be sidelined for substantial portions of the season. His importance within the team declined, and it became apparent that the once-vibrant midfielder who dominated the field was diminishing into a mere shadow of his former self.

McCarthy's ongoing struggle with fitness escalated dramatically when he was selected to represent Ireland despite still dealing with injuries. This move led to a highly publicized conflict between Everton's manager, Ronald Koeman, and the manager of the Ireland team, Martin O’Neill. Koeman, exasperated by McCarthy’s frequent call-ups while he was unfit, openly criticized O'Neill for not protecting the player. The situation became messy, with O'Neill retaliating by accusing Koeman of engaging in the 'blame game.'

The discussion surrounding McCarthy's fitness reached a tragic peak in January 2018, following a seemingly harmless collision with West Bromwich Albion's Salomon Rondon that led to one of the most horrific injuries witnessed at Goodison Park. McCarthy suffered a double leg break so severe that the sound of his leg fracturing resonated through the stands, leaving him in excruciating pain while Rondon was left in tears. This incident, which transpired close to the Lower Gwladys Street, marked a sorrowful moment in the life of a player who once appeared to be on the path to greatness.

Rondon, clearly impacted by the incident, later spoke about the emotional weight it placed on him. 'It was a difficult moment,' he recalled. 'I’ll never forget it.' His compassion for McCarthy, who had briefly been his teammate during his recovery, underscores the profound respect held between the two players. Regrettably, this injury marked the conclusion of McCarthy’s tenure at Everton. Even though he made a brief appearance in a 4-0 victory against Manchester United in 2019, he was unable to reclaim his spot in the starting team.

After departing from Everton in 2019, McCarthy experienced a revitalization at Crystal Palace, where he had a brief resurgence, featuring in 49 Premier League matches across two seasons. Nevertheless, his ongoing fitness issues continued to impact his performance. A transfer to Celtic in 2021 signaled the last chapter of his career in the UK, with McCarthy ultimately becoming a free agent in August 2024, at the age of 34.

The career of James McCarthy serves as a poignant illustration of the harsh realities of professional football. Once celebrated for his relentless work ethic and midfield vitality, McCarthy's path was tragically interrupted by a succession of injuries that robbed him of his prime years. Although his tenure at Everton is often recalled for the outstanding first season he had, it is the cruel twists of fate that ultimately shaped his legacy. The sport will always remember the running, running, running of James McCarthy.