Season › 2015-16 › News Martinez not expecting much business in January Lyndon Lloyd , 19 November, 16comments | Jump to most recent Roberto Martinez says his focus is very much on the players currently in the squad and that he doesn't foresee Everton being heavily involved in the transfer merry-go-round when the window opens. Speculation regarding potential ins and outs at Goodison Park is inevitably starting to build with the January transfer period a little over six weeks away and John Stones and Romelu Lukaku are among the names mentioned as being potentially eyed by other clubs. The Blues' boss told reporters at his press conference this morning, however, that while he is always looking for opportunities to add to the squad where it makes sense, he doesn't anticipate much action on that front and he has no intention of letting anyone go. "From our point of view, the window in January will be, as it's always been, to try to see if there's anything that can help the squad that's already in place," he explained, "and if there are any opportunities we're always looking for them but we don't look at [January] as a window to be really involved to bring in players or to sell players. "It's more a matter of continuity. From now until that international break in March it's about developing the strongest competition for places that we can have, the best level we can maintain and to get as many wins and winning performances as we can." Asked to confirm that none of his players will be allowed to leave in January, the manager was unequivocal. "Not at all," Martinez continued. "As I have said many, many times, we're not in a position where we have to make financial decisions and we don't have to balance any books so the focus is clearly on trying to be strong together." Martinez was also quizzed on the speculation linking Everton with a move for out-of-contract defender, Ron Vlaar who is currently available as a free agent after recovering from a serious knee injury. "You're talking about a player who has a lot of experience playing in the Premier League," the Catalan replied, "and he's not attached to any other football clubs. Obviously, at the moment it's not for me to [talk about] any other players apart from the ones we've got in the squad and making sure that we've got everyone fully fit and ready to participate. "I've got nothing to comment," Martinez said before reiterating that there have been no discussions with Vlaar so far. Reader Comments (16) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Colin Glassar 1 Posted 19/11/2015 at 18:37:15 Surely you can get at least ten grand for McGeady, Roberto? Someone must want him. Dave Lynch 2 Posted 19/11/2015 at 18:46:45 Think your pushing it there Colin. We could maybe offer 10 grand for someone to take him off our hands?He's an awfull footballer. Brian Williams 4 Posted 19/11/2015 at 19:26:30 Nothing unexpected there tbh. Anyone else see the Mirror today saying that Chelsea may fail in a bid for Stones in January and that his future will be decided in the summer.....FFS its already decided .........he's going nowhere. Pissed me off that little snippet today. Journo's must have had an inch or two to fill. Tim Greeley 5 Posted 19/11/2015 at 19:54:30 But the rags already have Stones leaving in January for Chelsea!!Cause, ya know, we fought tooth and nail to keep him in August JUST to let him go for like $5 million more in January. I don't always get carried away with the journo stuff like many on here, but reading that yesterday was just so far beyond preposterous. One would think they would be ashamed to even decide to print it. Actually no. I am fine with a low key January while we concentrate on WINNING matches and getting up into the conversation. Only issue I see is, if god forbid, Rom got hurt we would NEED a striker. But otherwise lets carry on and Baines, Cleverly and Besic will all be returning too. Hibbo is eyeing up the League Cup Final for his return as well! Kase Chow 6 Posted 19/11/2015 at 20:03:56 Again, no back up striker?Seriously Eddie Dunn 7 Posted 19/11/2015 at 20:09:05 Colin 1, Ten grand, ten grand for McGeady..... ...doing business the Everton way. Anthony Dwyer 8 Posted 20/11/2015 at 01:19:38 Kase Chow @5, My thoughts exactly. Surly we have to have a striker pencilled in, as Rom looks much happier with Kone up there with him. If an injury were to occur to either of our two strikers, we would be in shit street. I'd love Roberto to be the type of manager who seized opportunities to mix his squad up, I feel it would add some urgency to the team. If it were up to me, I'd move McGeady and Naismith on and use the money to bring in an up-and-coming striker. Norwich bid ٦m; that plus McGeady's pound will probably provide enough to buy a decent young lad from Europe. Next season, I'd do Hibbert, Osman, Pienaar and both goalkeepers, bringing in a goalkeeper on a free and a mainstay keeper. Hibbert, Osman and Pienaar could all be replaced internally by giving extra games to Browning, Deulofeu and Lennon, also Besic should be given a chance to replace Barry. I'd also seriously consider a move for Victor Valdes in the upcoming transfer window in January, stealing him now could free up funds next season, and may even allow Robles an extended stay as a Spanish speaking friend for Valdes. Hugh Jenkins 9 Posted 20/11/2015 at 04:10:48 It's not strictly true to say we have no back-up striker(s). The question is: Are they good enough?McAleny had a good pre-season and there were many calls on here and elsewhere for him to be given a chance in the first team this season, but apparently, there are now questions about his "attitude".We also recently brought in Rodriguez from River Plate, deemed to be a "rough diamond", but nonetheless a striker who apparently knows where the goal is!We also have Henen who is another youngster that is being "developed".It may smack of "Roy of the Rovers", but it may also be an epiphanic moment for we fans if one or other, or all of the above named were suddenly forced into the team because of injury and then acquitted themselves so well, that it became unnecessary for us to have to consider opening the purse strings for a replacement.That would be a great justification for the academy and for the two purchases we have made this year and the continued faith shown in Conor McAleny. Jay Harris 10 Posted 20/11/2015 at 05:03:50 I am with you part of the way, Hugh. I am a bit concerned that McAleny does not have the mentality for the Premier League. Naismith does but lacks consistency and skill. However, with Mirallas and Kone, I feel we have enough back-up to cover short-term injuries to Lukaku.I feel we should put all of our efforts into finding a world class keeper who could make that 10-points-a-season difference. Harold Matthews 11 Posted 20/11/2015 at 05:39:32 Sorry Hugh, Martinez is completely obsessed with Premier League experience, as illustrated with his remarks about Ron Vlaar. It's a big thing with him, and also with me. I hate it. Young promising lads only getting a chance in an emergency situation and dumped when the experienced guys return. They may have fared better than the experienced guys but it matters not. They are dumped.Funes Mori was lucky. Stones was injured followed by Jags. We were so short at centre back, Stones had to play whilst not fully recovered. Hopefully, the left-footed Argentinian International will retain the left CB position and let the other two compete for the right-side spot.If Lukaku is forced to miss games you can forget about Henen and Rodriguez. We'll go with Kone or Naismith, although my own choice would definitely be Mirallas. A striker before we tried turning him into a winger, he would jump at the chance and score goals.Can't see us signing anyone in January. The bench is already full of disgruntled professionals sitting long-faced during games. Martinez has no desire to add more. Hugh Jenkins 12 Posted 20/11/2015 at 06:00:37 Harold (#10). You are undoubtedly right. Unfortunately, this then makes a mockery of the academy and any "young blood" purchases such as Henen and Rodriguez. It begs the question: How can they get Premier League experience if they are not allowed to play in the Premier League?I expect the answer is: They will be lent to other Premier League clubs on season long loans.However, this seems impractical to me.Does anyone else have any suggestions / solutions? Al Reddish 13 Posted 20/11/2015 at 09:28:16 If you are looking for a back-up forward, Austin is a freebie in the summer... We could always offer something for him. Ian Riley 15 Posted 20/11/2015 at 23:37:36 That will mean Stones and Lukaku are not being sold! At least the manager is being honest. I imagine it's pissed off the box office manager, there goes your commission on half season ticket sales! Eddie Dunn 16 Posted 20/11/2015 at 23:48:15 Harold, You are spot-on again, we do not have a meritocracy and Mirallas would also be my prefered option up top, should Rom get injured.However, the boss sees him as another winger, and despite the rhetoric of a few weeks back, Kev is still lacking serious game time. Barry Jones 19 Posted 23/11/2015 at 17:30:46 I agree Eddie & Harold: Mirallas is the player of choice for that striker position, should we need him. If there comes a time when he can get a run of games as a striker, I am confident that he will do very well. Even starting higher up the field than normal, if we can provide the same type of quick service that we are giving Lukaku at the moment, Mirallas has the speed, strength and eye for goal to thrive on it. He also strikes a ball very well. Kevin Byrne 21 Posted 24/11/2015 at 16:00:23 Roberto, please check on Republic of Ireland 'keeper Darren Randolph in the West Ham reserves he looks a great find for Ireland. 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