Merlin Röhl has his sights set on Everton’s right-back role and said he wants ‘to give something the fans love’ from the position.
Röhl replaced Ainsley Maitland-Niles at right-back for the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend and is keen to nail down the role on a regular basis.
Though signed as a midfielder from Freiburg, the German believes full-back could be a position he plays permanently moving forward.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie with Newcastle United, Röhl said the support of the fans motivates him to become a regular in the starting side.
“It motivates everybody in our team and myself also. It pushes me to – now get the position as right-back – and give everything for the team and improve in that position,” he told evertonfc.com.
“[I want] to give something the fans love, running up and down and try to win every duel. I know it’s not always possible, but they’re the expectations and I love it.”
Tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle is the first of a double-header against the Magpies in league and cup. Röhl said Everton are keen to give ‘100 per cent’ in cup competitions this season, after several early exits in recent campaigns.
“It’s a big game for us,” he said.
“I think before the season, in our squad, we made it clear the Carabao Cup is something we want to go 100 per cent on. Of course, we always want to go 100 per cent, but it’s something we have our eye on. We’ll try to fight on Thursday.”
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