We’ve yet to see best of Mirallas, says Martinez – Liverpool Daily Post

23 Oct 2013 22:30

Kevin Mirallas puts his head in his hands

Roberto Martinez admits Everton FC have yet to see the best  of Kevin Mirallas this season as  the winger grapples with a new  role.

Mirallas made an instant impact having arrived from  Olympiakos last summer, scoring nine goals in an impressive  debut season.

However, the Belgium international has demonstrated only  glimpses of such form this campaign, his deflected opener  against Hull City last weekend  his first strike since May.

Mirallas this week revealed he preferred working with Martinez to successor David Moyes due to the ability to communicate in Spanish.

And the Everton manager believes there is much more to  come from the flying winger.

“Kevin started the season  really well in terms of me asking something a little bit different from him and physically  he had to adapt to reach those  levels,” said Martinez.

“He is a player who is capable  of bringing that little bit of magic to unlock a defence, to make  that assist that can win you the  game.

“He’s been so influential so  for but still has another level to  get to.”

Mirallas has also been busy  during the opening months of  the season helping Belgium  qualify for next summer’s World  Cup finals in Brazil.

And Martinez is confident  that will benefit the 26-year-old,  and added: “I’m really pleased  with what he’s done for Belgium  too, because that’s probably the  most competitive squad you can  have.

“Kevin is developing and getting real admiration within the  Belgian camp and is already  very important to Everton.

“But his best is still to come  in the years ahead, whatever he  is doing for us now.”

The recent international  break saw Seamus Coleman given the honour of being named captain  for the Republic of Ireland in their  World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Coleman followed Everton  team-mates Tim Howard, Steven Pienaar and Gareth Barry in having captained his country, while Antolin Alcaraz, Sylvain Distin and current Goodison skipper Phil Jagielka have all worn  the armband for previous clubs.

And Martinez believes it demonstrates the leadership qualities within  his squad.

“It’s really important to have many  leaders in your squad as that is the core  of the dressing room,” said the Everton  manager, whose side travel to Aston  Villa on Saturday.

“You need to set strong values and  strong directions. We have many players who can do that. You can never have  enough captains in your squad.

“Experience is a huge word in football. It’s a big advantage.

“But we even have youngsters who  have what it is needed to become a leader and a captain. I’m really pleased with  the amount of senior responsible figures  we have. They represent the football  club in a terrific manner and are ambassadors. You need these sort of figures to be successful.”

Meanwhile, Martinez is once again  running the rule over Feyenoord defender Bruno Martins Indi.

Everton were linked with a move for  the 21-year-old – who can play both at  left-back and centre-back – during the  summer transfer window.

And with speculation continuing over the long-term future of Leighton Baines, the Goodison outfit are pondering a January move for the Holland international.

Although born in Portugal, Martins Indi has won 12 caps for the Dutch national side and figured in the UEFA European U21 Championship