Martinez: Mirallas absolutely in next season plans
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that star winger Kevin Mirallas is “Absolutely” in his plans for next season as rumours about the Belgian departing Goodison Park continue.
Mirallas has been out of the recent match day squads with an injury, but made his return in the draw with Swansea City and Martinez says that Mirallas is a joy to work with.
“Absolutely.
“Kevin picked up a really difficult injury when you are a sprinter like he is.
“He has had a soft tissue problem so we need to be careful. Now he is getting to 100% and Kevin has been a really important player for us in the last two years and his goal scoring threat is something that we really need in the team.
“He is a player I really love working with and he still has a lot to offer.”
Mirallas became under fire from Everton fans when he was quoted as saying this: “I like it over here, but I feel ready for a new challenge. I dream of playing in the Champions League next season. With Everton or with another club. I just have to see after the season.”
Boss Martinez feels that some of what he was trying to say may have been lost in translation and doesn’t feel that the player has disrespected the club.
“I think those comments were taken out of context,” he said.
“When you are a foreign player – and I know because I have been in that situation – and you do an interview with someone from your nation and all they do is ask you about playing in the best competitions.
“And, of course, you want to show desire but he has never been disrespectful to our football club or our team. He is ambitious and we are an ambitious football club and so that is a very good match.”
Will Mirallas leave in the summer?
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