Everton defender Conor Coady laughs off England "tourist" comments
- Planet Sport writer
- 18 November 2022
Conor Coady hit back at suggestions he is happy to be a "tourist" at the World Cup in Qatar after failing to get any minutes on pitch at the most recent European Championship.
The Everton defender - currently on loan from Wolves - was unofficially crowned England's player of the tournament last summer as they lost on penalties to Italy in the final, despite not making a single appearance.
Assistant manager Steve Holland bestowed Coady with the honour for his spirit in and around the group.
But, while the 29-year-old will not kick up a fuss if he goes another major international tournament without kicking a ball, he does not intend to just be along for the ride.
Asked what a good tourist looks like at a World Cup, Coady replied: "He has just called me a tourist!
"I don't think of myself as that if I'm being honest, I think of myself as a player who's coming to try and affect, to try and help as much as I possibly can and to push everyone.
"I've said it plenty of times before, if you're not going to play in a team, what are you going to do?
"You're going to sit and talk and go back to your room or are you going to try and give the best of yourself to try and push people as much as you possibly can?
"That's all I want to do, I want to help if I'm called upon, I'll be there to help as much as I can. But in terms of thinking myself as that (a tourist) I don't.
"I think of myself as a football player that will try and help as much as I can and I won't change that attitude, I won't change that way of playing."
While he was praised internally for his contribution at the Euros, Coady revealed he has been the butt of plenty of jokes having been bestowed with the honour from Holland.
"I get loads about the Euros and different things but it's just the most exciting time in the world for everybody," he said.
"A World Cup comes around every four years and it's something that we all look forward to and I'm no different.
"I'm just lucky enough that I get to come and play with these fantastic players, I get to come and work under a fantastic manager and all his staff and enjoy every minute of it.
"What I always will say is that I'll come up and give the best of myself every single day - if I'm called upon, fantastic. I'll be there to help as much as I can and then we'll see where it goes."
