The Dutch-born Everton full-back has been filling in on his unnatural side in place of the injured Leighton Baines.
Since Everton left-back Leighton Baines has been out with a calf injury, Sam Allardyce has opted to deploy Cuco Martina in his place, despite the former Southampton man’s inexperience at playing on the left side.
Martina, naturally a right-back, can also play as a centre-back or a defensive midfielder and is a highly versatile player, however, the Feyenoord youth product has very limited experience playing with his weaker side.
In a recent interview with the Everton FC website, Martina explained how he had taken on extra training to help improve his left-foot and is doing all he can to stand him in best stead to perform well in place of the injured Baines.
Seamus Coleman’s injury means that the club are now without either first choice full-back, with Jonjo Kenny deputising in place of the injured Irishman, but when Baines returns to fitness, what does the future hold for Martina?
This season, both Martina and Kenny have both featured a similar number of times in the Premier League, however, with Kenny, 20, as an academy prodigy and Martina as more of a squad player, it somehow feels like the youngster will get more a look in as Everton prepare for life after Coleman whenever that time may come.
Martina has drawn mixed reviews since his arrival from Southampton, with many fans admiring his dedication and spirited performances whilst remaining silently disappointed in terms of the quality he offers.
Kenny on the other hand, has highly impressed the Goodison Park faithful, with his performances far beyond his years, as he goes about making their mark on the Toffees squad, alongside fellow English youngsters in Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate.
As it stands, Martina still has a good chance to seize his current opportunity at left-back and continue to impress Allardyce to prove his worth in the squad once the likes Coleman and Baines return to full fitness.
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