---
title: "Guga Can Serve as Long-term Coleman Replacement at Everton [Opinion]"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/readeverton-com-2020-12-31-guga-can-serve-as-long-term-coleman-replacement-at-everton-opinion/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-12-31T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-01T08:06:19Z"
---

# Guga Can Serve as Long-term Coleman Replacement at Everton \[Opinion\]

At 32 years old and with [just under 350 Everton appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/seamus-coleman/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/68390) to his name, few would doubt that club captain [Seamus Coleman](https://readeverton.com/2020/12/29/4-everton-players-with-uncertain-futures-january-transfer-window/) is anything other than a true stalwart and a loyal servant of the Toffees.

Having recently recovered from injury, Coleman has found his starting XI spot [taken up by Mason Holgate](https://princerupertstower.com/2020/12/28/everton-finish-2020-high/) who himself has [typically functioned as a centre-back](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-defenders-godfrey-holgate-ancelotti-19268922) in his career.

Whether Coleman will regain his place in future fixtures, with the Toffees having claimed the [maximum amount of points](https://www.evertonfc.com/results)in their previous four games, is another matter entirely – though the need for a new right-back is clear.

At his age, Coleman is by no means finished – though he is the wrong side of thirty and may well have one eye on retirement and his post-playing career.

Equally, academy product Jonjoe Kenny appears to be [out of favour](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-latest-transfer-news-kenny-19455360) with Holgate trusted out of position ahead of the young ex-Schalke loanee.

In the long run, this leaves Holgate as the only main choice in the role if Ancelotti continues to keep faith in him.

As a consequence, moving on Kenny and identifying a replacement for Coleman could be a two-pronged transfer opportunity to be explored by Everton.

[Analysis by the Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-transfer-news-brexit-football-19537002)has identified one hot prospect from Brazil that may well hold the attributes needed to fill the gap in depth for the Toffees at right-back.

22-year-old Atletico Mineiro defender Claudio Rodrigues Gomes has caught attention for his impressive individual attributes. He recorded a one-on-one duel [success rate of nearly 63%](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-transfer-news-brexit-football-19537002) and won two-thirds of aerial battles – despite being only 5ft9in.

With an imposing combative approach and a superb ability to read opposition build-ups, Gomes casts the mould of a promising defender that isn’t afraid to get stuck in.

Young, agile and physically-adept, Gomes ([nicknamed](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-transfer-news-brexit-football-19537002) ‘Guga’) should be a wildcard option to be scouted if Carlo Ancelotti are to hold down meaningful depth at right-back.