Numan: Chelsea ready to move for McCarthy

Feb 1 2007 EXCLUSIVE By Andy McGilvray

DUTCHMAN Arthur Numan expects Chelsea to make a move for Hamilton kid James McCarthy after the midfielder impressed top scout Frank Arnesen on Saturday.

Former Rangers and Holland star Numan sat beside Chelsea’s chief scout and head of youth development in the New Douglas Park directors’ box, as Accies beat Partick Thistle 2-1.

McCarthy set up the second goal for striker Richard Offiong.

Numan says Arnesen — an old friend from their days at PSV Eindhoven — was highly impressed with the 16-year-old.

Numan, who lives in Hamilton, said: “Frank contacted me to say he was going to Hamilton and asked if I would go with him.

“That was the first time Frank had watched James McCarthy play and he was very impressed with what he saw. I was really impressed too. James played for the whole 90 minutes and wanted the ball all the time, showed initiative and good awareness.

“He was never afraid to go for the tackle, and he has great potential.

“It’s up to him in the next two or three years to see how he develops.

“To make it as a footballer you have to give 110 per cent. I think he can make it, because he is a quality player.”

Numan added: “He can have a fantastic future if he keeps both feet on the ground.

“The fact that he is already playing in the first team for a Scottish First Division club says a lot about him and I’m not surprised that there has been so much interest in him.

“Chelsea have watched him once or twice, and Frank Arnesen was there on Saturday to see for himself.

“I know that when James played for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday there were people there from Chelsea too.

“I think it’s really impressive that even though there is interest from so many top clubs, it hasn’t put James off his game.”

Celtic’s reserve coach Willie McStay was also at New Douglas Park to run the rule over the talented midfielder.

James’s advisor George Gray, of Braveheart Promotions, has known Arnesen for 15 years and is a neighbour of his in Marbella, Spain.

He said: “Frank was very impressed with what he saw and thinks James has a great future.

“Whether he now goes to Chelsea or somebody else remains to be seen, but he knows the lad has all the attributes.

“Knowing January transfer windows like I do, this can go to the last minute, but I think we’ll see something soon.”

James played the whole 90 minutes on his Republic of Ireland under-17s debut at Home Farm’s Whitehall ground on Tuesday.

The young Irish side won 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Norwich defender Gareth Matthews.

Several scouts were in attendance, including former Celtic boss Liam Brady, who is Arsenal’s head of youth development.