Everton manager Roberto Martinez has warned goalkeeper Tim Howard that he has to battle it out to be selected as first choice keeper at Everton after the signing of Joel Robles from Atletico Madrid this summer. Howard has been first choice keeper at Goodison Park making 260 Premier League appearances since he made the switch from Manchester United in 2007, but Martinez has warned that the American faces a fight in hands this season.
Martinez told Everton’s official website: “As you know, since Jan Mucha has moved on, Tim Howard was the only goalkeeper at the football club.
“It was important to get another goalkeeper with the quality of Joel on a permanent basis. He has experience in the Premier League and was part of the squad that won the European Under-21 Championships with Spain.
“He is someone who is going to give us great protection and fight with Tim Howard for the goalkeeping position and push him all the way.”
New signing Joel Robles is also feeling confident and is determined to impress manager Roberto Martinez. The Spanish keeper said that he can learn a lot from Howard but admitted he did not sign for the club with the intention of sitting on the bench. He said, “I’m a very ambitious goalkeeper. I can’t wait to get started at such a big club. It’s a great honour to come here and work with Tim. He is a great goalkeeper and I am sure I will learn a lot from him.
“Obviously we will be competing together and it’s the manager’s decision at the end of the day.”
Robles has already worked with Martinez during their time at Wigan Athletic and he managed to displace regular first team Ali Al-Habsi at the DW Stadium. The 23-year-old also featured in the FA final victory over Manchester City making some vital saves in the process.
Written by: Sarad Shrestha
No Comments Yet.
Five Filters recommends: ‘You Say What You Like, Because They Like What You Say’ – http://www.medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/alerts-2013/731-you-say-what-you-like-because-they-like-what-you-say.html