According to reports in the Daily Star, Everton manager Ronald Koeman is said to be keen on signing Southampton outcast Cuco Martina.
The Dutchman is keen to bring in a new right-back with Seamus Coleman set to miss the rest of the year after suffering a double leg break in the Republic of Ireland’s 2018 World Cup qualifier with Wales last month.
Martina’s contract at St Mary’s runs out in the summer and after he has fallen out of favour under Claude Puel in recent months – and with no new deal on the table – he looks set to leave the south coast outfit on a free transfer at the end of the season.
That news has caught the attentions of Koeman, who brought the Curacao international to Saints from FC Twente in the summer of 2015.
The versatile defender came close to linking up with the Dutchman at Goodison Park in August, but the move was put on hold after Southampton summer signing Jeremy Pied injured knee ligaments, which left them with little cover for Euro 2016 winner Cedric Soares.
Here are three reasons Everton should steer clear of signing Martina…
He isn’t good enough
With Coleman set to miss the rest of 2017, if Koeman does sign a right-back this summer then he needs one that will be good enough to play half of the Premier League season next term.
Having made just nine appearances in the top flight for Southampton during the current campaign, it wouldn’t seem as though Martina isn’t the answer to Everton’s problems.
The Curacao skipper has also often shown that he can be vulnerable from a defensive point of view – something that won’t impress Toffees supporters.
He lacks an attacking threat
Coleman adds another dimension to Everton attacks with his ability to get forward and deliver dangerous crosses into the box or find himself in dangerous areas, and it’s something that we haven’t seen from Martina at Southampton.
The 27-year-old appears to lack the confidence to get to the by-line, and he often crosses from a deeper position.
Koeman should perhaps be looking for a more incisive right-back that would fit in with his side’s style of play.
They’ve got Holgate
If Koeman is looking for a short-term option at right-back before Coleman makes his return from injury, then he would be better off sticking with Mason Holgate rather than bringing Cuco Martina to Goodison Park in the summer.
The Toffees pride themselves on being a club that brings young players through and gives them an opportunity in the first team.
While Holgate’s preferred position is at centre-back, he has shown in his previous three Premier League appearances that he is more than capable of filling in at right-back too.
He will only get better with more experience, and that will come as he spends more time on the pitch.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.
