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Everton seen as 'perfect step up' for Continental talent

European clubs contact Martinez following loan successes

Roberto Martinez says that the success of Everton's summer loan acquisitions is prompting calls from European clubs seeking to farm their emerging talent out to Goodison Park.

The significant role played by Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku in the Blues' season thus far and the impact they are having in what is arguably Europe's toughest league has caught the eye of some of the Continent's biggest clubs who see Everton as a place to broaden the experience of their young players with Premier League football under the guidance of the Spanish manager.

"Clubs have been offering us players," Martinez says in The Guardian. "They have seen the other loanees and how well they have been looked after.

"It hasn't happened with the clubs in the UK but it has happened from abroad. We have had phone calls from clubs asking about taking their players for next season. They see it as a perfect step up in their career."

Martinez sees the logic in their thinking. "Put yourself as a director of football," he continues. "You spend £20m on a youngster but there is no place for him in your team yet. Where are you going to send him? You aren't going to send him somewhere that he is not going to develop or be at a club with a different style. That's a danger. You are not bothered about making the team, you are sending him to get stronger.

"When you have got a big investment, you cannot give it away easily. I think that you want to make sure that the next step is the right one for a player's development.

Teams that have got great investments for their squads will want them to come to Everton rather than elsewhere. That is a compliment. And it is something that is very important for us."

Martinez's comments will no doubt prolong the debate over the loan system in the Premier League, particularly as it pertains to loan players — like Lukaku — assisting their parent clubs by taking points off their rivals, and add fuel to churlish assertion from some quarters that Everton are somehow gaming a system that is the same for all clubs.

"Chelsea are delighted with Romelu," Martinez says. "He can't play against them. The other week he helped take two points off Arsenal, three points off United. That is the way you are looking at it [if you are Chelsea]. It is perfect for them.

"You are not going to stop every team but if you can stop your rivals then you are doing well."

 

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