James McCarthy ‘loving life’ at Everton

James McCarthy insists his heart remains with Everton and has no plans to quit Goodison Park in the summer despite speculation over his future.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder claims he is “loving life” with the Toffees even though Roberto Martinez’s side have failed to hit the heights of last season.

There had also been rumours that McCarthy was considering his future on Merseyside because Everton had not offered him a new contract.

Everton manager Martinez claimed McCarthy’s value following a superb first season had doubled from the £13m they paid Wigan for him in September 2013.

McCarthy’s team-mates John Stones, Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman were all handed bumper long-term deals last summer.

Fresh terms have not yet been offered to tough-tackling McCarthy, who currently earns around £30,000 a week, even though he had anticipated a pay rise. Martinez has a close relationship with the player and sees him as an integral part of Everton’s future, but can probably expect the issue to crop up again.

For the time being, though, McCarthy says he is not seeking a move to pastures new.

“I am happy here, and there is nothing to really report,” he said. “It’s coming from the media. It is just part and parcel of football. I have got time on my contract here. As it stands, I am tied down just now anyway.

“I am happy here. Nothing has changed from day one. I love it and I am still loving life.”

McCarthy has recently been linked with Tottenham, who tried to buy him while he was at Wigan, as well as both Manchester clubs and Arsenal.

The 24-year-old claims that nothing concrete has materialised – and wants to remain at Everton anyway.

“Honest to God, I have not heard anything,” added McCarthy, who is contracted until the summer of 2018.

“It is new to me if a club is going to come in and buy me in the summer. It’s new to me. I have not spoken to anyone. I have not heard anything.

“The media has done a few stories, but I am delighted to be here and I have many years still to come.”

McCarthy has traditionally been used by Martinez alongside the vastly experienced Gareth Barry as defensive shield in front of Everton’s back four.

However, in front of the watching Roy Keane he scored his third goal in an Everton shirt in their 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

And contributing in the final third of the pitch is something he is keen to continue to do.

“He (Martinez) is letting me off the leash a little maybe!” McCarthy said. “The gaffer has told me to get forward more and try and get a few goals into my game and it has been good to get on the scoresheet.

“But the most important thing is the team and we have gone on a little run. It wasn’t good enough from us at the start of the season, we knew that, but now we look forward to the games between now and the end of the season.

“I think maybe we have been working in training on a different style of play and a few things and obviously the gaffer he is letting me push on.

“I am no different to any other midfielder, you want to score goals, and you want to get as many goals as you can. Most important is that I help the team get results. If that means doing a defensive job one week and us winning I am happy to do that.”

McCarthy expects to be fit and available for June’s friendly with England and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland.

However, after a campaign that has been plagued by injury problems he is looking forward to recharging the batteries over the summer in a bid to avoid a repeat next season. “It has been frustrating, a very frustrating for myself,” he explained. I have a couple of games with Ireland and after that I will look after myself. I will rest when I need to rest and I am sure the gaffer and the physios will give me a programme to make sure I am on top of things.”