Dare we say, it looks as if Everton will miss out on The Champions League spot this season.
As we know anything can happen in The Premier League and many a neutral would love to see Everton finish fourth.
But Arsenal look to be over their blip now and are once again grinding out results without any problems whatsoever.
But even if Everton don’t get into European football’s top competition it has to be seen as an excellent debut season for Roberto Martinez.
Because they’ve played beautiful football – possibly the best since Howard Kendall was managing the club in the 80s.
And if Everton hold on to Roberto Martinez, as looks certain for the next couple of years at least, we can only see them going in one direction. The Spaniard is absolute mustard.
Summer will be a crucial transfer window for Everton as they look to increase the depth of their squad and make a more serious attempt at the top four next time.
Two players have been linked today and both are fascinating rumours for different reasons. The Guardian says:
Manager of the year Roberto Martínez isn’t standing still. He’s going to take it up a notch at Everton next season, by going on a six-player purchasing spree, with European football in mind. Joe Allen of that lot over the park, and former charge Joleon Lescott represent one third of his masterplan.
After the acrimonious departure from Everton in 2009 you’d imagine that Lescott might have burned his bridges with the club.
But Everton did, after all, make a huge profit on the deal after signing him for peanuts from Wolves and he’s still a top player.
He hasn’t had the game time he would’ve liked at Manchester City but there is no shame in that considering the strength of their squad. We think he would be an excellent recruit for Roberto Martinez – a no-brainer.
Liverpool’s Joe Allen is also rumoured to be a target of Roberto Martinez. He hasn’t quite done the business at Anfield and Everton might be slightly apprehensive about signing a player from the enemy.
But we think that he would definitely represent a better buy than Everton’s other reported midfield target Tom Cleverley. They are similar players but we think that Allen is more positive with the ball.
Let’s have a look at Allen in action. Everton fans would both or either of these signings be acceptable?
