McCarthy: I’ll have to fight to keep Doyle
But the Wolves boss insists the Republic of Ireland striker is “loving it” at Molineux and predicts he will make life uncomfortable for Chelsea skipper John Terry and his fellow defenders in today’s home league clash.
Doyle cost £6.5 million (€7.3m) when moving from Reading in the summer but McCarthy believes he has already been worth “every penny” with his contribution to Wolves’ bid to stay in the top flight.
He has scored six goals and in recent games has led the attack effectively in a revamped 4-5-1 formation which has helped Wolves to earn a draw with Liverpool and a win over Tottenham, lifting them out of the bottom three.
McCarthy said: “I’d hate to put a value on Kevin. He is a very, very good Premier League player.
“He is playing for a team scrapping at the bottom, he has scored his six goals, he has caused everyone he has played against problems. He started off with a hernia when he came here so he got off to a slow start, missed games, then came back and wasn’t fully fit.
“But since he has got fit, he has proved to be the player he was two or three years ago in the Premier League when he scored 12-14 goals. Does he look a bargain? I will accept that. Whatever we have paid for him, he has proved to be worth every penny.”
When asked if Doyle could become a target for clubs this summer, McCarthy admitted: “Look, when someone plays well, that goes with the territory. I never lose any sleep about anything like that, because I can’t do anything about it.
“It doesn’t concern me at all. Doyley came here and is loving it and, if we stay up, we are a Premier League club and he would still be loving it.
“But if someone like a Manchester United come in and ask and offer, it is bloody hard work then isn’t it (to keep him)?’’
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
