Cuco Martina has played regularly for Everton but the Toffees could reinforce their defence by signing Craig Dawson from Premier League rivals West Brom.
When Everton signed Cuco Martina on a free transfer to be the back-up right-back at Goodison Park, few would have expected the former Southampton defender to start 20 Premier League games this season – at left-back too.
But this is less a reflection of Martina’s form and more about the injury problems that have plagued the Toffees at full-back. Leighton Baines has missed most of the season and, with Jonjoe Kenny emerging from the academy to stand in for Seamus Coleman on the right, the Curacao international has been needed more on the opposite flank.
Though if Everton can reinforce their defence during the summer transfer window, it would be no surprise to learn that Martina is on borrowed time in Merseyside, despite nailing down a regular role in the starting XI.
As reported by The Sun, Everton are keen to raid West Brom for Craig Dawson upon their likely relegation from the Premier League this season. The former Rochdale defender is a very versatile player who would give Sam Allardyce, or whoever is manager by then, further options both at right-back and centre-half.
If Dawson arrives, plus Coleman and Baines recover fully, it is difficult to see where Martina actually fits in. Stop-gaps are not usually required, after all, when there is no one to replace.
Add to this the speculation that Everton are still on the lookout for Baines’ long-term successor and one of their most regular fixtures throughout the 2017/18 season could find himself in a very difficult position.
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