Eto'o itching to get started

, 27 August, 50comments  |  Jump to most recent
Roberto Martinez says that while he would ideally like to give new signing Samuel Eto'o more time to get back to match fitness before handing him his debut, the striker himself is keen to play a part in this weekend's clash with Chelsea.

Eto'o arrived on a free transfer yesterday and was unveiled as the Blues' latest signing at a press conference this morning where he reiterated how pleased he was to join.

"I hope to bring my experience to Everton. I was always motivated to come to Everton," he told reporters. "I as a player and the Club share the same vision."

His new manager, meanwhile, similarly happy to have brought in a player with so much experience and continuing appetite for the game.

“There was an instant feeling when I met Samuel," Martinez said. "I was so impressed with his desire to still achieve.

“Samuel is exactly what we need. He is one of the best at what he does.”

The Cameroonian, who announced today that he is retiring from international football, was signed in time to be eligible to face Chelsea this weekend and, given the somewhat acrimonious nature of his parting with Jose Mourinho last May, he will feel he has a point to prove his old club (although he has come out in the press this week to thank the Portuguese for giving him his first opportunity in England).

Martinez says that the decision over whether he will be included in the matchday squad will be made at the last minute but he jokingly admitted this morning that he might not be able to hold Eto'o back.

“It is difficult," the Catalan said. "I tried to have that conversation and realistically I would have liked him to have 10 or 11 [training] sessions before we put him in a competitive environment.

“But I quite quickly learned that I was wasting my time; he wants to be helpful to the team straight away and he wants to be involved.

“He is working today and everything will go down to what condition he has over the next two or three days to make that decision."

 

Reader Comments (50)

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Drew Shortis
1 Posted 27/08/2014 at 17:56:58
I bet he’s raring to go! I think he’s sincere in thanking Mourinho for bringing him to Chelsea, but I’m sure he’s itching to get on and show Jose he’s still an outstanding striker. How often do ex players score against their old team in their first meeting. I think I might put a cheeky bet on him to get his debut goal!
Christopher Kelly
2 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:11:18
Absolutely!!! Dream scenario... Would be daft and timid to keep him on the bench the whole game.
Derek Knox
3 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:14:17
Chris#2

I understand where youÂ’re coming from there, but you could apply the same statement to Besic for the Arsenal game.

I know itÂ’s water under the bridge and all that now, but it still wrankles at the very thought.

Team selection will be of the utmost importance tomorrow, and any mistakes, slips or wayward passes, will be totally capitalised on by Chelski.

Sean Kelly
4 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:33:50
Lukaku is also itching to score and Henen is itching to get in the door. Nearly 40000 of us are itching for the game to start. Now who spread the itching powder.
Dick Brady
5 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:37:38
Love to see him score against Chelsea on his debut.
Duncan McDine
6 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:50:23
IÂ’m itching to get rid of these bloody pube lice. Looking forward to the Chelsea game. I think we might just shade it.
Mark Tanton
7 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:52:00
Let’s hope we see Besic too. I guess we might see Osman on the left for Pienaar? Not my choice but there you go. Or might we even see Lukaku on right, Naismith on left and Eto’o down the centre?
Sean Kelly
8 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:57:12
Duncan too much information there mate. I think your on the wrong site.
Jim Bennings
9 Posted 27/08/2014 at 18:56:53
Mark

I really hope we don’t see Osman on the left. Against a side like Chelsea, that thought concerns me to the point of sleepless nights.

I would dearly love to see either Eto’o or Lukaku score against Chelsea, especially if it was a winner – how sweet that would be?

It’s going to be very interesting to see how we react after such a mammoth effort for 60 minutes against Arsenal, to put in so much work to get that 2-0 lead only to throw it away. Even now, on Wednesday, four days has passed and it still feels like a defeat.

I should be convincing myself that a point with Arsenal isn’t bad but it’s the way it happened, I’m still as gutted as at 7:30 on Saturday evening.

The only way I will get over that disappointment is if we turn Jose’s giants over this weekend but I have to admit I’m not as positive as I was before the Arsenal game.

We are not going to have Atsu or Pienaar and by the sound of it Lukaku isn’t really where he should be fitness wise and maybe Eto’o as well. That said, as excited as I am about Eto’o, it still doesn’t solve our major Achilles Heel with the defence and the shite schoolboy way we seem to concede goals.

Chelsea will need no invitation to score goals on Saturday so for once let’s hope that fucking defence can man-up under pressure and please please Everton, don’t start gifting them soft goals from set-pieces or free headers.

Phil Walling
10 Posted 27/08/2014 at 19:13:44
May have to play to cover for Romelo’s expected absence. But whatever the line-up it will be interesting to see where Naismith is fitted in. He’s been a revelation this season.
Mark Tanton
11 Posted 27/08/2014 at 19:26:30
Jim if we signed Ronaldo and Messi, and Toure Osman would still be starting ahead of them. 10 out of 10 for persistence but the kid’s like a fucking virus. He’ll outlive Ebola.
Dave Weston
12 Posted 27/08/2014 at 19:28:46
Why not put some itching powder in the away dressing room... they may as well have an itch like everyone else.
Phil Walling
13 Posted 27/08/2014 at 20:19:30
Re Naismith. It’s just occurred to me that he was one of the very few who had a full and proper pre-season. And it shows!
Matt Traynor
15 Posted 27/08/2014 at 20:44:48
Retired from international football - good news.
Colin Glassar
16 Posted 27/08/2014 at 21:55:01
Let Lukaku batter them for 70 mins then unleash Eto’o on them. Can’t wait to hear the commentators Eto’ooooooooooooooooooooooo scream.
Barry Morrison
17 Posted 27/08/2014 at 21:55:59
Phil, I think Naismith was a revelation LAST season - he’s just continued that form into this one.

Who’d have thought he’d have been the real success story between him and Jelavic when they both signed?

Dave Clark
18 Posted 27/08/2014 at 22:11:36
Barry, funny you should say that but 6 months after they both signed I was in an Airport waiting lounge talking to two Rangers supporters about Jelly and Naismith. They kept saying ’great player, you’re lucky to have him’ I thought they were talking about Jelly but they said "no, forget him he will fade, trust us Naismith is the man".

Even if he lacks the ability of some other of his team mates, he provides Evertonians with what they really want in terms of effort, desire and heart on his sleeve. Well done, Naismith, keep it going son, respect!!!

Ciaran Duff
19 Posted 28/08/2014 at 00:26:14
Siing it for me boys .........
Allez, Allez, EtoÂ’o
Stick up Mourinho
Allez, Allex, EtoÂ’o
Brian Wilkinson
21 Posted 28/08/2014 at 00:41:26
I got slated on here a few seasons ago when I defended Naismith saying give the lad a chance, he’s come back from a long injury. I also said OFM was playing him out of position in midfield instead of a forward; I still stand by that – Naismith will score more than he misses if he’s played in attack.

He runs his rollocks off for the team and I for one am made up heÂ’s getting the fansÂ’ backing.

Ernie Baywood
22 Posted 28/08/2014 at 01:25:28
Has there ever been a turnaround like NaismithÂ’s?

At football training on Monday I caught my 5-year-old not putting in enough effort. I asked him what Steven Naismith would do.

He said "Always try his hardest".

Never thought Naismith would be the example I show to my kids.

Mark Andersson
25 Posted 28/08/2014 at 02:52:19
Should be a good game but realistically we will be lucky to scrape a point. Had Arsenal had 5 more minutes last Saturday we would have ended up with no points so one point is good.
Jackie Barry
26 Posted 28/08/2014 at 03:25:39
Very true Mark but it could also very easily have been 3 points had it not been for those school boy errors. They had not really caused much for concern until then.
Derek Knox
29 Posted 28/08/2014 at 07:39:58
I have just seen on SSN that Diego Costa could be a possible doubt for Chelski on Saturday, as he has tweaked his hamstring in training.

I am only going by the reports, but generally they are not far away with the facts, but at the same time are sometimes wide of the mark too.

ItÂ’s just the others, if true that we have to contend with now. Thinking back to last year, we were pretty thin on the ground, a workman-like display, and an outstanding debut from Gareth Barry, a goal from the rejuvenated Nais got us there.

Stephen Brown
30 Posted 28/08/2014 at 08:21:30
Stephen Naismith seems to be everything a stereotypical modern day football is not – he is hard working , honest, doesn’t have a tantrum when dropped, plays for the team, doesn’t dive or fake injury he even gives tickets away to the unemployed. In addition to this he is proving to be a really effective player for us.

Well done lad and keep up the good work – it would be really nice for him if he could really cement some sort of legacy, eg, cup-winning goal, derby hat-trick...

Brian Furey
31 Posted 28/08/2014 at 08:56:07
Delighted with EtoÂ’o signing too. Anyone know how much heÂ’s on?

Also delighted with the long overdue recognition for Naisy. HeÂ’s getting regular games now and that shows in his confidence and belief and recently his finishing.

I think Mirallas could also really benefit from such a run of games but, if you look at his career last two years, heÂ’s always in and out of the team and for Belgium too. If he could get some consistency, heÂ’d be one of our best players.

Robert Workman
32 Posted 28/08/2014 at 13:26:04
I have just watched the highlights of last seasonÂ’s 1-0 win over Chelski. I focused on EtoÂ’o, who had a lot of nice touches in and around the box and also took up some good positions.

However, he was guilty of missing some chances (like the whole Chelski team, who could have been 3-0 up before Naismith scored the only goal in the 45th minute). EtoÂ’o had 4 reasonably good opportunities, but failed to test Howard.

By a strange coincidence he was making his Chelski debut and it seems, judging by what he has said to Martinez, that he will be making his Everton debut against his former team on Saturday.

Trevor Lynes
33 Posted 28/08/2014 at 13:38:03
As far as I am concerned, every top footballer should always give if his very best in every game he is fit to play in. Pienaar was our busiest player during the Arteta injury period and he always gets the best out of Baines. I bracket Naismith, Pienaar and McCarthy with the same 100% desire to win in every match.

Wide men and strikers are not seen to work as hard due to the role they play in the team. But all our team give 100% whether they play well or not. I will not use the stupid 110% because it is meaningless.

Gavin Johnson
34 Posted 28/08/2014 at 14:16:12
EtoÂ’oÂ’s international retirement can only be a benefit to us... I canÂ’t wait to see this kid in a blue shirt.
James Morgan
35 Posted 28/08/2014 at 15:19:19
On a side note, there is a picture on the echo website via twitter of Henen in the gym with Howard.
David Chait
36 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:02:50
Just another 48 hours James..
Michael Jones
37 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:04:02
Still think defence is priority. Did anyone else notice that all 4goals conceded came from our right
James Morgan
38 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:33:47
Isn't that the sequel to the film with Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte, David?
Colin Glassar
39 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:38:30
I think Henen has signed but they've just forgotten to announce it.
Jason Heng
40 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:43:53
Was looking at the TW list of past transfers. 10 years ago we signed an Ipswich striker named Marcus Bent and a particular Tim Cahill from Millwall.

How times have changed!

Andrew Ellams
41 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:48:49
Looks like Cleverly is off to Villa. Think we dodged a bullet there
Linda Morrison
42 Posted 28/08/2014 at 16:47:44
If Lukaku is not playing on Saturday how can he go on international duty all that way as well?

It's in The Guardian about the Chelsea striker. I thought it was just Old Big Head trying to do a SAF but could be wriong

We do need to look at the defence and let Stones play. I think Jags should be rested. especially if De Costa does play. He

Phil Walling
43 Posted 28/08/2014 at 17:27:31
Linda: He'll only be 'injured' if Roberto agreed to not playing him against Jose as an unofficial condition of his transfer.

As you know, I've already been panned for even suggesting such arrangements are made between 'these good friends' !

Raymond Fox
44 Posted 28/08/2014 at 17:48:16
Robert is correct when he says we were lucky to win, a draw would have been deemed lucky really.

They created a bucket load of chances, while we didn't, whatever, the name of the game is to get the ball in the net which we obviously did.
I just hope they don't make as many chances this time.

Depends on the score after 65-70mins if were 1 behind send sammy on.

Tom Bowers
45 Posted 28/08/2014 at 18:30:56
How many players are not yet match fit? What with the World Cup players being given excuses and now new signings, when can we conceivably have a good excuse for not winning?

Players like Besic won’t get match fit if kept sitting on the bench! I think though, at 33 Eto’o will only be used as a tactical sub, much like Drogba is at Chelski, and dare I say Lambert at Redshite.

I have to agree Cleverly has not progressed much and a good job he’s gone elsewhere.

Chris de Costa
46 Posted 28/08/2014 at 18:48:56
Linda, I can confirm that I won't be playing on Saturday, I'll be in the Lower Bullens front row, as usual.
Rob Halligan
47 Posted 28/08/2014 at 20:17:41
Talking of getting itchy, I’m getting itchy about the Europa League draw. Anyone know what time the draw takes place tomorrow?
Patrick Murphy
48 Posted 28/08/2014 at 20:37:16
I don't know the answer to your question Rob but we'll probably end up with Feyenoord, Villareal and Metalist Kharkiv just to make it interesting for us. I see our friends from over the park have got Real Madrid, Basel and Lundogorets despite being out of the tournament for five years yet Man City have Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Roma despite being English champions for 2 out of the last 3 years.
Patrick Murphy
49 Posted 28/08/2014 at 20:46:10
Rob - It might not be Feyenoord after all I thought their game had finished but now its 4-4 on aggregate with Zorya Luhansk having 3 away goals in the bag.
Rob Halligan
50 Posted 28/08/2014 at 20:51:40
You’re not saying CL draw was fixed are you Patrick??
UEFA would never do such a thing, unless it involves the shite!!
Shit, does that mean I think it was fixed as well??

By the way, wouldn’t fancy feyenoord again. Some bad memories of playing them in the 70’s. Great memory of playing at their stadium in 85 though.

Patrick Murphy
51 Posted 28/08/2014 at 21:05:05
I went to that game in 1979 Rob - had a boss time of it over on the ferry from Hull and back again - drinking inside the stadium which we weren't used to even then. It might be on again as I think their game has finished 4-3 on the night 5-4 on aggregate. As for cup draws being fixed far be it from me to suggest there is any shenanigans involved but sometimes they work out so cosy for some teams you do begin to wonder about their propriety.
Colin Glassar
52 Posted 28/08/2014 at 21:10:26
Fix? Who's saying the rs CL draw was a fix? No chance. A disgusting, very strange coincidence perhaps but never a fix. We all know our rs brethren have no influence whatsoever in uefa.
Rob Halligan
53 Posted 28/08/2014 at 21:11:16
Went in 79 and again in 95 Patrick. Both times quite scary, particularly in the city centre by the Big Ben pub. Had a cracking night in Amsterdam after the game in 95 though.
Joe O'Brien
54 Posted 28/08/2014 at 22:39:47
Rob the draw is on at 12 tomor, uk time. It's great to be back in Europe.
I think Costa is out on sat, great news for us. 2 nil to us. Rom with the 1st and E'to with the second after coming on for Rom. . How sweet would that be eh?
Rob Halligan
55 Posted 29/08/2014 at 00:08:30
Cheers Joe. Will miss it then as in work. Pity Hull are out.
Andy Crooks
56 Posted 29/08/2014 at 01:10:37
I try to avoid football for a week and go to the west this time each year. So, just logged on and find that we have signed another striker. Things are more surprising this year than usual. I think this might be a shrewd deal but if we are picking the best Everton team ever then Samuel could, as things stand, only be included with Gascoigne and Ginola.

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