Everton: Premier League 2013/14 preview

This again brings up the question of Marouane Fellaini playing in the hole behind Jelavic. This indeed turned out to be this Belgian’s best position while attacking deep lying teams, and the Belgian’s towering presence in the box as well as his precise hold-up play in midfield, allowed the likes of Pienaar and Osman to rush ahead.

Marouane Fellaini

But Fellaini’s tentative contract situation that could see him go either to Manchester United or Arsenal, would leave a huge hole in the Blues’ lineup which needs to filled tactically rather than physically. Using Miralas in this hole rather than Fellaini would mean that the front four for Everton become a highly attacking outfit, hereby leaving the manager with the only option of playing 2 deep midfielders.

Leo Osman is surely one of the candidates for the role, and his energetic displays last season won him a well-deserved English cap. His partner in the pivot in the centre last time around was either the now retired Phil Neville or the injury prone Gibson.

In Gibson’s case, the Englishman was able to provide reliable support in the centre albeit it being a make-shift position for him. But the Blues indeed require a more solid DM next to Osman, as Leo often shows attacking tendencies on the ball. Martinez’s tactic of not bringing Wigan man James McCarthy is really odd in this case.

The place that Roberto did indeed strengthen is the CB role, where Alcaraz came in from Wigan. Martinez is quite fond of his former captain, and now he comes in mainly as a backup to the established duo of Jagielka and Distin. Martinez had earlier established a three man defence at Wigan , but was seen to stick to the 4-2-3-1 in the preseason friendlies at Everton.

Alcaraz’s inclusion in the first team would only be possible in case United make a late bid for Baines. This will then see Martinez shifted to a three man defence with Coleman and Oviedo on the wings. Though this might change the balance of the team, it was indeed effective against the likes of Stoke and Spurs last season, where Pulis and AVB played a team without any established wingers.

Everton has often been about teenagers that it develops and then sells. But recent rise in status in the League and domination in Merseyside means that now Kenwright can often develop a good youth setup too. Ross Barkley is a clear indication in this regards, as the versatile midfielder who was often played on the right by Moyes, is now a main stay in the English junior setup.

Barkley has often shown immense skill in the centre of attacking midfield, but the presence of Fellaini has kept him restricted to the right flank. Apart from Barkley’s ever increasing presence at the club, Martinez has now successfully brought Barca’s Delofou on loan to the club. Deulofeu is highly regarded player in Catalonia and is seen as a future star for Spain.

This definitely means that the 20-year-old will surely return in a year or two, but Martinez will surely get enough chances to make use of the youngster’s eye for goal and movement off the ball.

The only risk that sees the Blues drop off the top 5 is Roberto Martinez’s mentality. Though the Spaniard’s recent silverware might have attracted Kenwright, but on paper Martinez is quite used to having a slow start to the season and then fighting back later in the season.

Apart from that Martinez has always been a tactically sound manager and is pretty sure to follow Moyes’ footsteps which saw the Scotsman dynamically change shapes and positions even during big games.