Everton fans have been a little underwhelmed about initial news surrounding Roberto Martinez's summer transfer targets
Everton v Swansea City in the 5th round of the FA Cup at Goodison Park Lacina Traore celebrates afer scoring Everton's goal. Picture Jason Roberts.
A striker who scuffed one goal in five otherwise anonymous months, and a midfielder having such a bad season a petition was started to get him dropped from the England team.
It's no wonder Everton FC fans have been a little underwhelmed this week about the initial news surrounding Roberto Martinez's summer transfer targets.
The Blues boss went on record to discuss his desire to keep Lacina Traore at Goodison next season, and his admiration of Manchester United's Tom Cleverley is an open secret.
But the prospect of both players wearing royal blue next term has already led to murmurs of derision among supporters.
Given that Ivory Coast international Traore has only played an hour of football during his disastrous loan spell, and had the ignominy of getting injured in a pre-match warm-up at Chelsea, the cynicism regarding him is understandable.
So too Cleverley, who was played consistently by David Moyes as the Red Devils floundered and the critics had a field day, then dropped like a hot stone.
Fans will wonder why Martinez took a risk on keeping Traore after he suffered the hamstring injury which eventually kept him out for the rest of the campaign.
Why keep paying some of his wages for that time when they could have just sent him back to Monaco?
Equally they may worry that Martinez hankers after a player, in Cleverley, who might have impressed while on loan at the DW Stadium four years ago, but has gone backwards since.
Liverpool FC vs Manchester United. Daniel Sturridge challenges with Tom CleverlyPic Colin Lane Liverpool FC vs Manchester United. Daniel Sturridge challenges with Tom Cleverly
That is, however, the point at which Blues need to remind themselves to trust the man who has transformed their club this season.
Some fans are more prone to blind faith than others; Evertonians tend to need convincing.
Understandably they reserve the right to be sceptical, especially after so many let-downs.
But Martinez has done enough to earn the benefit of the doubt.
He clearly sees something worth persevering with in Traore, and could have agreed to bite the bullet and let him rehabilitate on Merseyside because that will make re-signing him on loan easier.
There were a whole host of clubs after the towering forward. Martinez believes that with time, and a pre-season at the club, he could offer something they don't have, and form an integral part of the band of strikers he feels the Blues need to compete in Europe next term.
As with Cleverley. Martinez was the only manager to make a serious offer for James McCarthy last summer, others admired from afar but blanched at the £13m Wigan wanted.
Everton's manager knew better. He went for it, and the club got a young midfielder who is now spoken about in the same lofty terms as members of Goodison's Holy Trinity.
If he sees qualities in Cleverley which have been underused at United, or simply eroded by repeated knocks to his confidence, then the chances of landing him should be lauded rather than slated.
Big Joe makes a welcome return to club
Joe Royle’s likely return to Everton is as welcome as it is surprising.
With Big Joe settled into retirement and enjoying the odd TV punditry role, when his love of the Blues continually shone through, it seemed unlikely he would be on the look out for work at a club.
But for Royle, Everton isn’t just any club. And his affection for the Toffees is matched in the respect of fans who either watched him as a cherished goalscorer or cheered him as the last manager to lift a trophy.
Everton FC legend Joe RoyleEverton FC legend Joe Royle
His experience can be of huge help in overseeing the development of young players who are in that potentially awkward stage between the U-18s and the first team where talent can sour if it is not carefully monitored.
Once again it shows how Roberto Martinez has no fear of bringing other big personalities into the frame if he thinks they can help.
One former number nine is already proving to be influential, with Duncan Ferguson’s input praised by Leighton Baines this week. Now it’s time for another to help keep the club on the right road to better days.
Source: Echo
