The rise of Barkley, Lukaku's signing and the Baines factor

Everton fans rejoice! The season is just five weeks old and the only unbeaten team in the league is Everton. They have got off to a solid start, keeping three clean sheets and beating Chelsea along the way. So what makes this Everton outfit tick?

There is no doubt that Everton have a more than decent squad but the tactics of new manger Roberto Martinez(who I think is one of the best in the league, having guided a weak Wigan side to survival for three seasons and winning the FA cup last season) is proving to be the difference for the Toffees. The striking feature of their football this season has been their disciplined approach to the game and as a result teams have found it very difficult to break them down. They keep the ball very well thanks to the experienced Gareth Barry and Leon Osman and their center backs Distin and Jagielka have formed a strong partnership in defense.

The player who was caught our eyes is nineteen year old English midfield prodigy-Ross Barkley. He is a player who has made giant strides in the past six months, shedding the tag of a talented starlet and becoming Everton’s midfield talisman. He is a tall, free running and skillful attacking midfielder who has given a whole new dimension to this Everton attack. Roberto Martinez has hailed Ross Barkley as the future for Everton and England and was quoted saying “Ross can be as big as he wants. I think when you get a player that’s got the talent and the ability that he has, I see it as a unique talent for the English game.”

Roberto Martinez made a few astute summer signings to bolster an already talented squad. He recruited a couple of his Wigan players- Arouna Kone and James McCarthy and shortly before transfer deadline he acquired the services of Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku on season long loan deals. While the addition of Gareth Barry was more to provide cover in midfield following Fellaini’s departure to Manchester United, Lukaku’s signing solves their forward crisis they have been having for a while now with Nikica Jelavic misfiring.

Lukaku had a fantastic season last year on loan at West Brom, scoring 17 goals that included a hat-trick against the champions. He possesses the strength and confidence to lead the Everton attack and is rearing to go after scoring the winner against West Ham on his debut for the club. It is still early days in his career, but he is showing that he has the qualities to become a world class striker.

The most noticeable players on the pitch for Everton are their full-backs Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman. Their wide players cut inside, giving space for their full-backs to make over-lapping runs and deliver inch perfect crosses. Baines has the ability to rip teams apart with his blistering pace and is a nightmare for opposition full backs. Over the years he has become a set piece specialist, scoring delightfully precise free kicks frequently. His partner in crime Seamus Coleman does a good job on the right and they have become an integral part of this Everton side.

The future looks promising for Everton under new manager Roberto Martinez and slowly but surely they will return to the top.