Martinez praise for Deulofeu

Martinez praise for Deulofeu

Martinez praise for Deulofeu

Roberto Martinez has assured Gerard Deulofeu he will have a big part to play in Everton's season.

Everton fans were overjoyed when their club announced that they had signed Deulofeu on a season-long loan from Barcelona, but they have only seen fleeting glimpses of the winger since.

Deulofeu has made two very brief substitute appearances in the Barclays Premier League, but the Spaniard terrorised Fulham's defence on Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup with his trickery and pace.

Martinez wanted to use the competition to ease Deulofeu in to the English game, but with Everton now out following their 2-1 defeat to the Cottagers, the teenager will have to fight with the likes of Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley for a place in the Toffees' Premier League side.

Martinez had previously admitted Deulofeu was frustrated at his lack of game time so far in England, but the Everton manager insists the Spain Under-21 star will get his chance to shine in the Premier League once he has fully adapted to his new surroundings.

"There's a big gap in terms of physicality between the English and Spanish leagues - it's a lot quicker here and there is a lot more contact, so for players who are artists with the ball like Gerard there will always be a period of adaptation," Martinez said.

"Gerard is doing that very well. He is making the difference when he is on the pitch. He is learning bit by bit, he is very quick and I am sure that in the next few months Gerard will play a very big part in this team."

Deulofeu is seen as one of the brightest prospects in Spain having come through the club's famed La Masia academy.

Last season Deulofeu scored 18 goals in 33 appearances for Barcelona B, who play in Spain's second tier.

The Spaniard was one of eight changes made by Martinez for Tuesday's game in west London, which Everton lost after goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Bent.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/everton/martinez_praise_for_deulofeu_rss4421788.shtml