Everton’s season in the recently concluded Premier League campaign was far from satisfactory, as the Toffees failed to cement a place in the top six, despite a valiant performance by their main striker Romelu Lukaku, who ended the season with 25 goals to his name.
The defence has been nothing less than a headache for the Merseyside club’s coach Ronald Koeman, especially the right back position. With the first choice in that position, Seamus Coleman, still recovering from an injury caused by a fracture to his leg, the Dutchman is in search of a player who can come up as a replacement for the injured fullback.
Recent reports suggest that Everton is willing to bring in Southampton full-back Cuco Martina this summer, as a replacement for Coleman. Martina has a prior experience of playing under the coaching of Koeman when he was in charge at St Mary’s before joining Everton as a manager, and the defender will look to capitalise on that in case he shifts clubs this summer.
The 27-year-old full-back has been out of favour under the current coach Claude Puel, who has kept him out of his starting XI for a chunk of the season. The Dutch defender is also out of a contract now and might not be handed a new one anytime soon.
The versatile full-back was one of the main players for the Southampton side under Ronald Koeman and the two are known to have a good relationship with each other. That might come into play if Everton looks to make a move for the full-back in the forthcoming summer transfer window.
The fact that the player will be available on a free transfer can make the deal even more attractive for the Merseyside club. Their injured right back Coleman is set to miss the starting matches of the next season since he will be recovering from his prolonged injury, leaving his manager Ronald Koeman looking to bring in an efficient and experienced player as a cover.
Martina is known for his ability to play in a right back as well as a central position in the defence. He is as good in the air as he is on the ground. Apart from tackling cleanly, the right back can take shots on goal as well and will add an overall threat to Everton. But is he the right man for Koeman?
