Season › 2015-16 › News
Martinez not expecting much business in January

Speculation regarding potential ins and outs at Goodison Park is inevitably starting to build with the January transfer period a little over six weeks away and John Stones and Romelu Lukaku are among the names mentioned as being potentially eyed by other clubs.
The Blues' boss told reporters at his press conference this morning, however, that while he is always looking for opportunities to add to the squad where it makes sense, he doesn't anticipate much action on that front and he has no intention of letting anyone go.
"From our point of view, the window in January will be, as it's always been, to try to see if there's anything that can help the squad that's already in place," he explained, "and if there are any opportunities we're always looking for them but we don't look at [January] as a window to be really involved to bring in players or to sell players.
"It's more a matter of continuity. From now until that international break in March it's about developing the strongest competition for places that we can have, the best level we can maintain and to get as many wins and winning performances as we can."
Asked to confirm that none of his players will be allowed to leave in January, the manager was unequivocal. "Not at all," Martinez continued. "As I have said many, many times, we're not in a position where we have to make financial decisions and we don't have to balance any books so the focus is clearly on trying to be strong together."
Martinez was also quizzed on the speculation linking Everton with a move for out-of-contract defender, Ron Vlaar who is currently available as a free agent after recovering from a serious knee injury.
"You're talking about a player who has a lot of experience playing in the Premier League," the Catalan replied, "and he's not attached to any other football clubs. Obviously, at the moment it's not for me to [talk about] any other players apart from the ones we've got in the squad and making sure that we've got everyone fully fit and ready to participate.
"I've got nothing to comment," Martinez said before reiterating that there have been no discussions with Vlaar so far.
Reader Comments (16)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 19/11/2015 at 18:46:45
He's an awfull footballer.
4 Posted 19/11/2015 at 19:26:30
5 Posted 19/11/2015 at 19:54:30
Cause, ya know, we fought tooth and nail to keep him in August JUST to let him go for like $5 million more in January. I don't always get carried away with the journo stuff like many on here, but reading that yesterday was just so far beyond preposterous. One would think they would be ashamed to even decide to print it. Actually no.
I am fine with a low key January while we concentrate on WINNING matches and getting up into the conversation. Only issue I see is, if god forbid, Rom got hurt we would NEED a striker. But otherwise lets carry on and Baines, Cleverly and Besic will all be returning too. Hibbo is eyeing up the League Cup Final for his return as well!
6 Posted 19/11/2015 at 20:03:56
Seriously
7 Posted 19/11/2015 at 20:09:05
...doing business the Everton way.
8 Posted 20/11/2015 at 01:19:38
Surly we have to have a striker pencilled in, as Rom looks much happier with Kone up there with him. If an injury were to occur to either of our two strikers, we would be in shit street.
I'd love Roberto to be the type of manager who seized opportunities to mix his squad up, I feel it would add some urgency to the team. If it were up to me, I'd move McGeady and Naismith on and use the money to bring in an up-and-coming striker. Norwich bid ٦m; that plus McGeady's pound will probably provide enough to buy a decent young lad from Europe.
Next season, I'd do Hibbert, Osman, Pienaar and both goalkeepers, bringing in a goalkeeper on a free and a mainstay keeper. Hibbert, Osman and Pienaar could all be replaced internally by giving extra games to Browning, Deulofeu and Lennon, also Besic should be given a chance to replace Barry.
I'd also seriously consider a move for Victor Valdes in the upcoming transfer window in January, stealing him now could free up funds next season, and may even allow Robles an extended stay as a Spanish speaking friend for Valdes.
9 Posted 20/11/2015 at 04:10:48
McAleny had a good pre-season and there were many calls on here and elsewhere for him to be given a chance in the first team this season, but apparently, there are now questions about his "attitude".
We also recently brought in Rodriguez from River Plate, deemed to be a "rough diamond", but nonetheless a striker who apparently knows where the goal is!
We also have Henen who is another youngster that is being "developed".
It may smack of "Roy of the Rovers", but it may also be an epiphanic moment for we fans if one or other, or all of the above named were suddenly forced into the team because of injury and then acquitted themselves so well, that it became unnecessary for us to have to consider opening the purse strings for a replacement.
That would be a great justification for the academy and for the two purchases we have made this year and the continued faith shown in Conor McAleny.
10 Posted 20/11/2015 at 05:03:50
I feel we should put all of our efforts into finding a world class keeper who could make that 10-points-a-season difference.
11 Posted 20/11/2015 at 05:39:32
Funes Mori was lucky. Stones was injured followed by Jags. We were so short at centre back, Stones had to play whilst not fully recovered. Hopefully, the left-footed Argentinian International will retain the left CB position and let the other two compete for the right-side spot.
If Lukaku is forced to miss games you can forget about Henen and Rodriguez. We'll go with Kone or Naismith, although my own choice would definitely be Mirallas. A striker before we tried turning him into a winger, he would jump at the chance and score goals.
Can't see us signing anyone in January. The bench is already full of disgruntled professionals sitting long-faced during games. Martinez has no desire to add more.
12 Posted 20/11/2015 at 06:00:37
I expect the answer is: They will be lent to other Premier League clubs on season long loans.
However, this seems impractical to me.
Does anyone else have any suggestions / solutions?
13 Posted 20/11/2015 at 09:28:16
15 Posted 20/11/2015 at 23:37:36
16 Posted 20/11/2015 at 23:48:15
However, the boss sees him as another winger, and despite the rhetoric of a few weeks back, Kev is still lacking serious game time.
19 Posted 23/11/2015 at 17:30:46
Even starting higher up the field than normal, if we can provide the same type of quick service that we are giving Lukaku at the moment, Mirallas has the speed, strength and eye for goal to thrive on it. He also strikes a ball very well.
21 Posted 24/11/2015 at 16:00:23
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


1 Posted 19/11/2015 at 18:37:15