Roberto Martinez’s Everton have enjoyed a fairly good start to the season, picking up 4 points from a possible 6.
But here are 3 things that boss Roberto Martinez must do for the campaign ahead.
1. Keep John Stones
Since the ending of the 2014/15 season the 21-year-old has been subject to rumours linking him away. Despite the poor season, Stones was one of the little positives as he made his real breakthrough into the Everton senior team.
Stones is vital to the future of Everton Football Club and it would be a big statement for the himself, the club and also something for the youth players to look at.
Chelsea have already had a bid of £20m rejected and Martinez has only just said “he’s not for sale”, after months of rumours. But, you just wonder if Chelsea were to bid £30m+ whether Martinez and Kenwright would be tempted to take the money.
I feel if Everton want to move forward as a football club they need to keep Stones, which will send a message to the top clubs.
Martinez has said “I will put Everton’s future ahead of everything”, so I fully expect Stones to stay.
2. Spend Some Money!
So far this summer Everton have spent £4.25m. Yes, that is right they’ve spent £4.25m. This sits them bottom of the ‘spending table.’ This is unacceptable for a club like Everton.
Roberto Martinez has brought in Gerard Deulofeu, Tom Cleverley, David Henen and Mason Holgate, the last two likely to be in and around the U21’s. But more players are needed.
After the disappointment of last season Everton needed to strengthen and spend. We all knew that, but with a few weeks left there seems little determination of actually getting the players in.
Every week Martinez drops the “two or three more” line, but he needs to take more action. Evertonians deserve more.
A position where I feel Everton need to desperately beef up is centre back. With Jagielka and Stones as the only senior centre backs at the club, Martinez must get in one or two more. Although they do have the likes of Browning and Galloway who can step in, you couldn’t rely on them for 15-20 games if Jagielka or Stones were to get injured/suspended.
3. Play Barkley Regularly
There’s no question that Ross Barkley has the potential to be one of the best players in the world. But for him to fulfill his potential he needs to be playing on a regular basis.
Over the summer, there has been many pundits who have questioned as to whether Barkley can be more consistent and show more of the brilliance we’ve seen in flashes over the past couple of seasons. So far, I think he’s responded well.
I thought two weeks ago, before the Watford game, whether Martinez would start Barkley or if he would go for more of a ‘safe’ option. But, he has gone with Barkley, and from the two games he has replayed him. With 4 points from a possible 6, a good start for Everton, Barkley has been a big part of their early success coming in with two goals and one assist.
Although it’s only been two games, Barkley has set himself a level at which he needs to try to maintain and perform at for the rest of the season. But for him to do that, Martinez needs to give him regular game time.
Despite admitting he “lacked confidence” last season, it seems Barkley has turned a corner from pre-season and I believe he is ready to take a permanent place in the first team.
Come on you Toffees!
