How Kevin Mirallas is proving his class with seamless transition into Martinez’s Everton

Everton may have lost their unbeaten league record in their last game away to Manchester City, but they have still made an impressive start to life without David Moyes. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Leighton Baines, and Seamus Coleman have been excellent so far this season, as has young Ross Barkley, who has really taken the eye in what will surely be his breakthrough season. Also deserving, but maybe less obviously so, of high praise is Kevin Mirallas who has become a key piece of this Toffees puzzle since signing from Olympiakos last summer.

The 26-year-old Belgium international has featured predominantly on the right side of midfield where his pace, trickery, and movement causes all sorts of problems for opponents. As is the case with Baines and Pienaar on the left flank, Mirallas has developed a good partnership with Coleman on the right. His movement inside leaves space for Coleman to run into on the overlap. Roberto Martinez has been encouraging his full-backs to bomb forward at every opportunity to devastating effect. The Spaniard’s tactics combined with the Belgian’s movement is what has helped Irishman Coleman to impress so much.

As for Mirallas, he is a player capable of changing a game when he gets on the ball. He showed that during his impressive debut season, which proved to be Moyes’ last as Everton manager. A very direct runner when taking up possession on the flank, he attempted an average of 3 take-on’s per game as he looked to get past anyone standing between him and the byline or penalty area, completing 44% of these. The 43 chances he created, meanwhile, is a tally that only Baines (116) and Steven Pienaar (79) beat.

Mirallas’ chances created during 2012/13 season

He has picked up where he left off this season, attempting an average of 3.4 take-ons per game and creating seven chances overall, a tally bettered only by Baines (11), Coleman (10), and Barkley (8). His crossing has been quite good so far. He has attempted an average of two per game, with an impressive 28.6% of them finding a target. In fact, the two assists he has to name already came as a result of crosses. He is yet to score, though, after netting six times last season but there is n o doubt the goals will soon come, given he loves to take the shot on–especially from distance–when he cuts inside, averaging almost two per game to date.

Mirallas’ shot map this season

In addition to cutting inside, he can be seen switching flanks, using his trickery and movement to link up with the likes of Baines when he overlaps as well as Barkley and compatriot Lukaku around the penalty area. He even started on the left flank in the away win over West Ham United. Martinez is keen to maximise his use of the Belgian’s movement and versatility in his fluid system.

“Kevin Mirallas is now in a stage of his career where he can play in many positions and understand a different way of playing,” he told the club’s official website after the club’s victory over Chelsea back in September. “At that time [in the Chelsea game], we were defending really well and were comfortable, but it is important to have pace and mobility up front. Kevin always gave us that outlet and that real threat going forward. We need to be able to adjust and adapt and Kevin as an individual showed what he can do.”

Since signing for Everton, Mirallas has shown what he can do. He is the only player at the club who can play in the positions that he does and to such good effect, making him a vital asset. And as this Everton side continues to grow under Martinez, the Belgian will continue to prove a key figure in the club’s progress.