With ever-growing speculation about who the media can try and sell next within Everton’s squad, it appears that Martinez is about to send a strong message across, by rewarding four players new, lengthy contracts that will off-put potential suitors.
The players in question are Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, John Stones and James McCarthy. Each of these players have done excellently this season and it would be hard to argue that they don’t deserve new contracts that will keep them tied to the club for their best years.
Players such as Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman have been strongly linked to moves away, typically to Manchester United where former manager David Moyes attempts to salvage any sort of reputation. John Stones does not have too long left on his contract and for once it seems like Everton would like to get the contract situation sorted before other clubs start sniffing around the high potential centre-back. Finally, McCarthy has only signed this season, however it is believed he’s on a poor wage (in terms of footballers, mind you) and since becoming one of Everton’s integral first team players, he will likely see a fair pay rise.
Martinez spoke to the press and had this to say:
“We won’t offer encouragement to any club over Seamus. He is on a long-term contract and we want to ensure we grow together and we need players like Seamus.
“Yes, it is the intention to offer him a new contract. We are already thinking about Seamus, Ross (Barkley) and John Stones. We want to reward them, even James McCarthy.
“That is something we will look at this summer. They are players with long-term contracts. It is not a decision just to keep them at the club; it just highlights the next step of their development and rewards them for their performances.
“Seamus has got a long-term contract. James and Ross are the same. But we want to reward them.”
Martinez feels that the players will be happy to accept these new contract offers and that once they do, they can go on to fully develop with Everton football club.
He said: “We hope they will feel excited about developing with the football club and I think with the young players we have got in the club – Seamus, Ross, James McCarthy – they are footballers I believe to be of the highest, highest level.
“We need to grow together. The way we work at the club, there is a structure in the salaries and everything goes down to your role at the club.”