Martinez unmoved by Fellaini talk

Should we really be desperate to keep a player who blows hot and cold, and whom forever seems one tussle away from a red card? Flog him, and rebuild is what I say.

Where would Spurs be without Bale? Villa without Benteke?? The RedShite without Ray Boy???

I for one hope we keep him

Yes, we can get £22m plus for him and I have no doubt we could get some good players for that. However it's masking the problem. The Board should be making a statement by making every effort to keep all our best players AND provide the funds for more. We are a top six side now and should start acting like one. NSNO

If Martinez has some of the funds from last January, some TV money, funds from the sale of Heitinga (if he goes) and some surplus cash available from the wages we have saved he can still bring in several players. There are some good free agents to boost the squad size and no doubt Martinez has some talented youngsters on his radar. If you factor in RM giving Barkley and some of the other young players a chance I think its possible to get enough numbers into the squad without the need to sell our best players. I'm also hopeful he will be able to rejuvenate Jelavic.

If Fellaini decides he wants to go there isn't a lot we can do to prevent it, but the silver lining to that cloud would be a large transfer fund for Martinez to replace him with. Either way we should be in good shape. I just hope this doesn't become a saga like Lescott's transfer that will distract from our preparations for next season. If he does want out get it done quick.

If he goes and Martines gets the fee to spend on new players + gets the team
playing half as well as talks to the media top four no problem

The mere fact that BK openly mentioned a release clause on Fellaini set the alarm bells ringing... so, with that in mind, it is clear (to me) that's where RM's biggest slice of money is going to come from. Hopefully I'm wrong and we will add with our own big signing of a new striker, right winger and a playmaker (and not one player who can do all three); then I'll be happy.

With the Fellaini rumour, the Mail has reportedly moved on and is now saying Wenger will splash the cash on Ilkay Gundogan and Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender! Who knows what is true or not! Whatever sells papers I suppose.

That's the funny thing Steve, apart from the media linking Fellaini with all and sundry, no one has made any bids, or officially came out and said they wanted him.

Man Utd won the league last year an Rooney, Nani and Evra are being touted as leaving them.

Fellaini, Baines etc are quality players that any team would be interested in. The papers will always try to stir the shit with this type of article.

If Martinez can hold on to both it will be great.

I think it's all about the balance of the first 11 depending on the opposition. If we have quality forward players in the wide areas and upfront with pace then I think Fellaini's limited passing range is reconciled by his good ball winning and defensive work as he can just give it to someone like Mirallas or Pienaar and they can do the complicated stuff.

When we haven't got these players however then I don't think Fellaini gives you that required creativity which is why I think Osman often got the nod alongside the holding mid as his technique and passing ability opens up chances through the middle when they're not coming from outwide.

Ultimately it would be great in my opinion if Martinez could rotate the squad (although I know its too small to ever manage this) into some sort of home and away formula. Players like Osman and Pienaar in against the lesser sides at home looking to park the bus. Players like Fellaini, Barkley Oviedo, in against the physical sides away from home in order to play on the counter. Last season Moyes's formation relied far too much on Baines Osman and Pienaar creating stuff for the forward players and didn't really utilise Fellaini's strengths properly. It worked well at the beginning of the season but in the middle they all dipped in form as fatigue set in and the team just didn't work. Also you're never going to win many away games like this as you just can't dominate the ball at away grounds and play tappy tappy round the edge of an opponents box.

As for Fellaini if he stays and is used properly (not holding mid, not behind the stirker, but as some sort of pressing ball winning presence between the two) then I don't mind. If he goes and Martinez buys the new Arteta then even better.

The reason the Fer deal didn't happen was we didn't have enough cash for an up-front payment, which FC Twente wanted. Their Chairman was Whelan-esque in his briefing of the media about what the real problem was. The knee was just another smokescreen put about by EFC - the lad never missed a game after that.

Matt Traynor
That sounds like the most realistic assessment of the financial situation I have heard so far. Thanks for the insight. Better to be prepared for reality that to carry on with sky high expectations and be disappointed. Martinez is still going to have to work under relatively tight financial constraints, but that is one of his strengths so no need to panic.

"You are not talking about a player who is out of the squad or in negotiations with another club. I won't look to speak to him about this because there is nothing to speak about.

I think Martinez needs to have a good conversation with Fellaini about his future intentions, so Martinez will know what budget he has to spend early doors and then Martinez can identify his transfer targets nice and early.

I would hate Fellaini to be sold last minute without leaving us time to do our own transfer business.

Let's get everything sorted early doors and bed our new additions into pre-season.

But why do we see it only four or five times a season? Is it him, or was it Moyes, or not enough quality around him, or was it being sacrificed to take one for the team? Don't know.

As such, he's a bit of a luxury, and one we can afford to let go for £24m in my opinion. I reckon Martinez could probably rebuild a whole team with that, so let him spread it over three players and we'd be a much better team all round for it, which is why I'd take it tomorrow.

I wouldn't have felt the same under Moyes as I'd think he'd just have invested it in another two centre halves...

My God, I'm glad you're not the manager Tony. Would you want Dan Gosling and Shandy back as well?

As for Fellaini ,we need to realise that market forces will dictate if he leaves or not. If a bigger club comes in, triggering his get-out clause, and offers him Champions League footy and a massive pay rise, then what would you suggest he does? It's Goodbye Everton and that's that. We will get good money back on him and, if Johnny H leaves as well, Roberto will have a decent war chest to work with. Maybe 3 or 4 decent players coming in...

I am still scratching my head as to who it was re-signed Osman though. It sure wasn't the new guy and I can't see Ozzie getting a look-in anymore... Very strange one that.

I remember often looking at the subs and thinking blimey, what's plan B with that lot. I favour keeping Baines and Fellaini, if possible, clearing out the dead wood and recruiting more quality - I reckon RM has his head screwed on when it comes to finding cheapish talent.

Two or three or four incoming for his fee will make us a better team by a mile.

Felli is not that special. We will be better without him. I trust RM to splash the cash – cripes if he gets it all – to make us better.

Resigning Osman for once does makes sense. If RM doesn't rate him, a current England International would command a decent fee from some of our premier rivals, because of his contract length.

For once, a correct decision.

Thank god Kenwright didn't listen to all those people clambering for the ex-amateur footballer turned assistant turned manager (for only 2 years).

I just don't want him playing in the No 10 role as it leads to hoof ball football and we lose presence in the midfield. Also he says he prefers playing defensive midfield so let him play where he's more comfortable playing. A fit GIbson and Fellaini in the middle will be a match for any team in the league.

"I’m optimistic for Everton’s future and Moyes has left Everton with a fantastic squad of players who could quite possibly challenge for the fourth spot over the next few seasons with only a few new additions – and perhaps Martinez’s playing philosophy is the single biggest new addition that could change everything."

Nice!

It wont be long before we hear from Fellaini's old fella telling the football world how great his son is (true) and that every top flight club in Europe wants him, and he can do better away from Everton (also true). The only way he or Baines will stay is if Bob and our ancient board can convince these players that there is a bright future and funds will be available for more quality players (I've just had a great dream... reality time now).

Fellaini will go; Baines hopefully will stay. If we can get as much as possible for Fellaini, bring in two top midfielders, another striker and central defender, in my opinion, I think this season could be very interesting We can rest assured Bob will play two up top... let's hope it's the right two.