3. “I wouldn’t sell him for any money in the current market.”
This was said for none other than former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.
After an impressive 3-0 triumph away to Stoke at the Brittania Stadium, where Cleverley set up two goals, Martinez said “I think you do not have a better English player. Technically, he is as good as you get. The way he executes, how he reads the game, for me he is one of the most sensational you are going to see in Premier League history. I wouldn’t sell him for any money in the current market.”
4. “For me he’s the best footballing centre-half in Europe”
John Stones came to face heavy criticism for his decision making and attempts to take on players in his own defensive half and Martinez was quick to jump to his defence, in his typical exaggerating style, he said: “He’s an out and out defender and then, for me, he’s the best footballing centre-half in Europe, so he’s allowed to make his own decisions.”
The Toffees’ ex-manager also went on to warn the critics from putting pressure on his developing players and said that players like Stones, Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu would probably be worth £260million in a span of 5 years.
5. “Phenomenal”
This has been the 42-year old’s favourite quote throughout his stay at the Merseyside club, from describing Arouna Kone’s return from injury as “phenomenal” in November 2015 to Pep Guardiola’s announcement as the next Manchester City manager as a “phenomenal sign” in January.
He also described Everton as a “phenomenal and passionate football club” at his unveiling as manager and labelled their academy as “phenomenal” in July 2013.
If not for their performance under the Spanish manager, Everton fans would surely remember Roberto Martinez for his overwhelming statements and press conferences.
