The full-back is far from one of Everton’s better players but has given it his all out of position.
Cuco Martina of Everton
It has been a rollercoaster of a season for Everton this season. Ronald Koeman has gone and Sam Allardyce is in, both probably sharing a similar approval rating right now amongst Everton fans.
Many players have simply not performed to the level necessary for Everton to withstand a serious challenge for European football, or indeed break clear from nagging relegation fears.
Whilst criticism has been levelled at many Everton players fairly, one player should be defended from such critics. That player, is Cuco Martina.
Marc Albrighton of Leicester City controls the ball ahead of Cuco Martina
Pitchforks down please, because the Curacao full-back deserves some credit for his performances this season.
Signed by Koeman, who knew him from his time at Southampton, he was never supposed to be playing regularly for Everton. He was an emergency option, should Seamus Coleman be injured. Coleman did get injured as did Leighton Baines. This season he has been playing as the club’s left-back, going against type.
He has performed absolutely at his best level all season when called upon. He has struggled at times, Mohamed Salah for example made him look ridiculous, but he’s done similar to plenty of other genuine left-backs this season.
Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R), with Everton’s Dutch defender Cuco Martina
Martina has not been one of Everton’s best performers, but he has put his head down, got on the job and done his best. In what has been an underwhelming season for Everton fans should not really ask for much more from a player whose ability is limited.
If some of the more gifted players in the Everton team applied themselves in the same way Martina has this season than perhaps the season would not be a write off.
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