It just doesn't sit well with me, that's all. It's "kopitey". I've seen "Joe Allen passes like Xavi" and "Jordan Henderson is the next Gerrard" so often that it disturbs me to see Evertonians trying to delude themselves about McCarthy's qualities and try to justify the fee just because he's signed on the dotted line.
If people are honest with themselves, on balance it's more likely we've overpaid for a squad player than it is that we've unearthed a gem who'll develop into something special. That is perhaps what is getting under my skin the most - the feeling that what people are typing here isn't their honest opinion; rather it's the desire to just get behind the lad because he's here. I understand it, but... I'd rather people were just honest about their misgivings (as, indeed, people were in the transfer thread before he actually signed).
The irony is that if you go to the Summer Transfer Window thread you'll see me actually
defending the interest in McCarthy (here:
http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/t...transfer-rumourZ-thread?p=2147410#post2147410)
The problem now is that instead of being a squad player bought in for around £6m (which I would have applauded; McCarthy is certainly a good squad option and worth a punt at that price), he's a marque signing for £13m. So instead of being an astute signing to replace Osman, he's now the next big thing in our midfield.
It's not the lads fault he has that price tag, but it is what it is - we're Everton, and £13m is a massive sum of money for us. It's £5-7m out of our January budget. That's a whole Kevin Mirallas to put it in perspective.
I just think it's silly to actually try and justify it and claim it was a good deal, because based on the level he's at now and the ability he has shown, we've overpaid dramatically.
So to sum up in one thought - I can't call it a good signing, and I can't understand those who say it definitely IS a good signing. I'm hoping beyond hope we haven't just signed a very expensive Scot Gemmill.
