Everton were one of the many clubs that managed to impress the fans last season but were not able to secure a place in the top-half of the table even. Roberto Martinez, the former Everton manager, accumulated a decent squad and got them to play some good football but was not able to get constant results that saw them fall down the points table. However, with Ronald Koeman in charge, the Toffees are once again expected to challenge the top clubs in the league and maybe even for a place in the Europa League.
The new manager is looking high and dry for some quality additions to the squad and though has been relatively quite so far, new recent reports suggest that Dutch international Bruno Martins Indi is currently on the radar of the Merseyside club for a move this summer. It is believed that the FC Porto player has a £33.5 million release clause but is expected to be available at a smaller price (reportedly around £12.5). So does this move make sense for the Toffees? Is it the transfer that can get them into the top half of the table?
John Stones, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and Funes-Mori was the preferred back line for the manager in the previous season but English international John Stones is subject to a transfer saga between top Premier League clubs and may end up leaving the club this summer. So Martins Indi might be viewed as a replacement for Stones at the heart of the defense if he makes the move this summer. But what does he add to the squad? Will he fit into Koeman’s style of play?
The 24-year old centre-back, who can also play a full-back is one of the best defenders in Netherlands. He is matured well beyond his age while his strength and agility make him a superb defender. He has the ability to read the game and makes a number of crucial interceptions in the final third that helps his team set up attacks on the counter. He is good with the ball at his feet and also superb in the air making him a wholesale package that will be perfect for the Premier League.
Ronald Koeman showed last season that he needs a strong foundation in defence upon which his teams excel and there is no doubt that Martins Indi will help his side next season. He is a player who loves to take responsibility at the back and will help the manager lay a back-four that is the strength of the team. The 24-year old is surely an option if Stones leaves but at the moment, John Stones is still at Everton and if Martins Indi makes the move, he might be played alongside Stones which makes it an even better backline.
It will be interesting to see if the 24-year old makes the move this summer but if he does, Everton will surely have gotten a man who will help them take the next step.
