With his energy and technical qualities in the center of midfield, the Ireland international showed exactly why he has attracted interest from City, Spurs and Arsenal.

Raheem Sterling completed his move to Manchester City on Tuesday, but Manuel Pellegrini is already eyeing another Premier League signing. James McCarthy has emerged as a target for City after Fabian Delph turned down a move to the Etihad Stadium . Pellegrini's side faces competition from Tottenham for the midfielder, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal.

But McCarthy is currently in Singapore with Everton taking part in the Barclays Asia Trophy, which kicked off with the Toffees picking up a penalty shootout win over Stoke City after a goalless 90 minutes.

PERFORMANCE AGAINST STOKE

Deployed in his customary position alongside Gareth Barry in a midfield two from the start, the 24-year-old showed exactly why he is being targeted by Tottenham and City with a typically all-action display.

Energetic and always on the move, McCarthy covered a great deal of ground as he shuffled between both penalty areas. With Stoke happy to sit back, cede possession and burst forward on the counter, it was important for the Republic of Ireland international to track midfield runners back towards his own goal as well as looking to advance and help his team in the attacking phase of play.

McCarthy also once again demonstrated his technical qualities, helping Everton to dominate the ball. He always made himself available to collect possession from the back four, showing great awareness and positioning as he looked to instigate moves from deep.

With Gareth Barry replaced by Tom Cleverley at the interval, McCarthy was forced to sit a little deeper in the second period. He was again disciplined and diligent when it came to his defensive responsibilities, and remained involved as Everton sought a winning goal in normal time.

The 24-year-old is a rather understated player, the type who gets on with his job quietly and whose contributions are often more noticeable when he is absent. This was the case again here. Romelu Lukaku’s powerful surges and Gerard Deulofeu’s quick feet and direct dribbling would have caught the eye more than McCarthy’s efforts, but the former Wigan man showed why he is such an integral member of Roberto Martinez’s outfit.

Lesser players would have insisted on being withdrawn when McCarthy picked up a knock after 74 minutes, but the midfielder insisted on playing on until the closing stages. He was subsequently taken off with eight minutes remaining, but his commitment could not be questioned even in such a non-competitive environment.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?

Following Fabian Delph’s decision to remain at Aston Villa, City is understood to be interested in bringing McCarthy to the Etihad Stadium as the club seeks to add to its homegrown quota. Should he make that move, the former Wigan man would not just be there to make up the numbers, with Fernandinho and Fernando potentially facing a real battle for their place in the first team.2014-15 Premier League stats

Tottenham, too, would be improved by the presence of McCarthy in the squad. Nabil Bentaleb is a fine young player, but McCarthy would be an upgrade on Ryan Mason and could form an excellent midfield partnership with the Algerian.

Everton, though, will not let last season’s Player of the Year depart without a fight. Roberto Martinez’s side paid 12.5 million pounds ($19.5 million) to secure his signature in 2013, with his performances in the two years since only serving to increase his value.

This was by no means McCarthy’s best ever display, but he was tidy, assured and authoritative at the heart of this Everton team. It is no surprise that he is a wanted man.