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Go For It Koeman – This Southampton Star Could Be The Perfect Signing To Kick Start The Summer Window

Cuco Martina

Is Cuco Martina A Good Option For Everton To Sign?

Everton are on the verge of completing their first transfer ahead of the season as a report from The Guardian claims that the Toffees are in talks to sign former Southampton full-back Cuco Martina, who was released by the Saints at the end of the season after his contract expired.

The 27-year old joined the South Coast club in the summer of 2017; signed by the current Everton boss Ronald Koeman. But he has found action hard to come by this season under Claude Puel and as a result, the club decided to let him go.

Everton finished their first season under Ronald Koeman at 7th position in the Premier League and as a result, they have entered the UEFA Europa League for next campaign. While a return to European football will have been the short-term objective for Everton, they will want to build on the campaign and try to break into the top six amidst competition from big clubs, while also putting up a good show in Europe. They will be in definite need of reinforcements to the squad in the transfer window.

Everton lost regular right-back Seamus Coleman to a double leg fracture in April when he was on international duty. The Republic of Ireland defender was ruled out for the entire season and is likely to miss the rest of 2017 as well.

While youngster Mason Holgate did decently towards the end of the season while filling in for Coleman, Everton will need another capable addition to their ranks, considering that they will be playing extra games next campaign due to their European involvement.

Cuco Martina is someone who Koeman knows very well from their Southampton days and is clearly a player that the manager trusts. In the 2015/16 campaign for the Saints under Koeman, Martina made 18 appearances and demonstrated enough defensive stability and his screamer of a goal against Arsenal on the Boxing Day 2015 demonstrated that he can be an effective threat at the other end of the pitch as well. He finished the season with a goal and 2 assists.

This past campaign, he may have made just 18 appearances in all competitions – only 6 of which have been starts in the Premier League, but he did start 5 Europa League games for the Saints, setting up one goal in the process.

The 27-year old would be the ideal stop-gap option for Everton until Coleman is fit again, considering that the manager is well aware of his abilities. He comes in with experience in the Premier League and Europe as well. He may not be a star name that fans would have been hoping the club would sign, but Cuco Martina will prove to be a shrewd addition for Everton, more so considering that he will be coming in for free.