Regular readers of soccersweep know that we’re massive fans of the new-ish Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
Everton’s main problem over the next couple of years will be holding onto a manager who we think is destined for the very top.
His intelligence, eloquence and tactical ingenuity mark him out someone who ticks all the boxes for a modern football manager.
Furthermore, it’s difficult to think of a Martinez signing so far that hasn’t worked out for Everton.
Alcaraz has been injured and hasn’t made a mark at the club but players like James McCarthy, Gerard Deulofeu, Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku have been absolutely scintillating – unbridled success stories.
So it’s safe to say that the Everton transfer budget is in extremely good hands.
Recent media reports suggest that he is on the lookout for three Dutch players. Martinez is mixing business with pleasure in Brazil as he’s doing some punditry and also some scouting for Everton no doubt. And he’s apparently looking at three Dutch players of great potential. The Daily Mail reports:
Everton manager Roberto Martinez was at Holland’s World Cup training camp checking on Jeremain Lens, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij on Wednesday.
Martins Indi is a young Dutch defender of great promise who can play in the centre or left of the defence.
Stefan de Vrij is also 22 years of age and he too plays for Feyenoord as a centre back. He reckons he could well leave this summer:
‘The chances are that I will leave, I can probably confirm this. I am with the Dutch national team so I don’t know the exact details.’
Jeremain Lens has been on fire for the national team scoring 8 goals in 22 appearances for Holland. He’s 26.
All three look as if they could be excellent prospects for Everton but Manchester United have also been rumoured to be interested in Martins Indi and De Vrij and, with Louis van Gaal at the helm of the Dutch squad he may well have first dibs.
But these players are unknown quantities outside of their country and the acid test will come against Spain on Friday. It should be fascinating to see how they stand up to the world champions.
Lets see Lens in action.
Dan
Jun 12, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Erm… Arouna Kone. £6m.
soccersweep
Jun 12, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Not fair! Seriously injured at the start of the season!
On 8 July 2013 Everton confirmed the signing of Koné on a three-year deal, for an undisclosed fee.[33] He made his debut on 17 August, coming on as an 81st minute substitute in a 2–2 draw at Norwich City.[34] In October, he suffered a knee cartilage injury and did not play again for the rest of the season
jonesy
Jun 12, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Kone is harsh criticism…he has yet to prove himself but he’s knocking on a bit and the price paid wasnt insignificant.
Alcaraz however has proven poor and Robles, while yet to be fully tested, hasnt convinced many of the Goodison faithful that Howards job is under threat.
So superb on Lukaku, Barry, Deulofeu and McCarthy. Open mind on Kone/Robles and a healthy wtf on Alcaraz and Traore. Massive credit for managing to bring in that many players without the Everton board noticing though!.
Charlie
Jun 12, 2014 at 4:13 pm
He signed a injured striker from monaco that played 60 minutes and keep him
the wage bill thinking he would benefit the last 5 games that didn’t happen
Max
Jun 13, 2014 at 12:05 am
Agree Alcatraz, Traore, Kone poor signings, Robles yet to prove Himself! And Croatia was robbed! 2-2 should have been. Excited about players we’ve been linked with Ziyech very good Dutch lad, saw a video of him well impressed. Batshuai looks ex, young Hazard player of season in Belgium, all 3 would be great! Add Barry, Tello & Indi Job Done!!!!!!
Gaz
Jun 13, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Some beauts on here….Traore scored in his only start….Kone has only played a small number of games….how can you rubbish them as signings?
Ed
Jun 13, 2014 at 4:20 pm
I am a massive Martinez fan.
McCarthy was a steal at 13 million and a player many of us wouldn’t have given 13 million for before hand.
Getting 27 Million for Fellaini is up there with anything sir Alan Sugar has done business wise. He will be shown up for his lack of pace, composure and will do well to go through the tournament without a suspension through his clumsy challenges.
But.
Kone, Alcaraz and Robles have not impressed although Robles is a good number two keeper for his own career should be looking to learn from first team football before he looks back and finds he missed his chance.
Kone started pre season but didn’t produce, jelavic was coming off the bench to score goals and forced his way above Kone by the end of pre season and start of the league games.
Alcaraz is a squad player and we need squad players as much as ever with Europa league but should never lead the line.
Barry, deulofeu, Lukaku were good and made us a stronger team but if they do not lead to signings they were dead money.
Martinez said at the start of January transfer window we would be not weaker by the end of the window. In my opinion we were left weaker.
Jelavic and Johnny H were on the books and were both aloud to leave without replacements. To cover he brought in untested and injured Traore for jelavic and nobody for Heitinga.
Just after we lost Lukaku with Kone already injured and the Traore paid for already injured we were left short for 3 weeks which could have been worse if it happened again.
At the end of the season against City we lost Barry in the holding role and had no real replacement. Johnny Heitinga has played this role before and could have stepped in to take the pressure off.
I am waffling now as I have a long train journey back to Liverpool but my point is. The Jury is out on actually owned players.
mcarthy in and Fellaini out is fantastic business.
Alcaraz, Kone, Robles, in
jelavic and Heitinga out. Was not so good