Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Roberto Martinez still thinks Everton are a top attraction
ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes that Everton’s blossoming fortunes will not discourage their rivals from sending players to Goodison Park.
The Everton boss insists his side’s emergence as top-four contenders will not impact unfavourably on his hopes of making key loan signings in the future, but actually have the opposite effect.
Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku joined Everton from Manchester City and Chelsea respectively for the season in August.
Barcelona also sent Spanish teenager Gerard Deulofeu to Merseyside after identifying Martinez’s philosophy as central to enhancing the youngster’s skills.
Martinez claims other foreign clubs have already been in contact with regard to placing their players with him next season.
“When you have got a big investment, you cannot give it away easily. You want to make sure the next step is the right one for a player’s development,” he said.
“Teams who have got great investments for their squads will want them to come to Everton rather than elsewhere. That is a compliment.
“All I am interested in is having players to surround the strong core – and we have got the core.”