Is Martinez’s Wigan raid going to work?

Whilst he might not be placing all his eggs in one basket, new Everton boss Roberto Martinez is certainly placing a large proportion of them in the same box – given that of his four signings to date three were playing for him at Wigan last term.

Undoubtedly there is quality in the Wigan squad that were relegated last term, however signing players from relegated clubs has generated only mixed results in recent times – whilst managers bringing ex-players with them to their new club is another policy that can only claim at best indifferent success.

Martinez’s three familiar recruits are; Arouna Kone, Antolin Alcarez and Joel Robles – with the exception of Kone not necessarily the three Wigan players Everton fans might have hoped for.

That said, Kone at £6 million should prove a real steal if he can replicate last season’s form, particular given that if you were to identify one area that Everton needed strengthening it would be the striking department. Nikica Jelavic struggled in the second half of the season and although Victor Anichebe had probably his best season for the club he still did not provide consistent goals. Given the output that the likes of Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas are likely to provide there is every reason to suggest that Kone should at least match his tally of eleven league goals last term.

Robles was actually signed from Atletico Madrid, having impressed Martinez on loan at the DW last season. The youngster had a relatively indifferent debut season in England making his fair share of errors but also a significant number of crucial saves – at just 23 though there was enough evidence to suggest that he could potentially become a solid top flight keeper. Tim Howard is not getting any younger and last year there were certain occasions when he didn’t quite look his reliable self, in signing Robles Martinez will hope that the extra pressure this brings can ignite Howard’s best form again.

The signing of Alcaraz is perhaps the biggest surprise given that Wigan were not exactly water tight defensively under Martinez – although many would identify the Paraguayan’s extended absence for much of last term as one of the reasons for their relegation. Nevertheless defensive problems have not been high on Everton’s issue list and some would say Martinez would do well to leave alone what is not broken. Provided Alcaraz is primarily coming in as back up though this should still prove a sound move – especially when you consider that Everton have for a while been relatively thin on the ground in terms of numbers.

So whilst Martinez’s preference to stick to what he knows the three signings he has made should at least improve the Goodison Park outfit – particularly Kone who should add an extra dimension to their attacking play. Nonetheless the Toffee’s faithful will be hopeful that the Spaniard has some irons in the fire from outside of Wigan who can keep them fighting in the Premier League’s upper reaches – after all his ability to make quality premier league footballers from relatively unknown players is one of the reason why he was given the job.