Blues back room trio join Moyes at Manchester United
1 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Greg O’Keefe
Wigan coaches Jones, Reeves and Bergara to move to Goodison
Everton FC back room trio Steve Round, Chris Woods and Jimmy Lumsden have joined former boss David Moyes at Manchester United. The three were contracted to the Blues but they have been released today and will now move to Old Trafford following discussions between the two clubs.
It paves the way for Wigan coaches Graeme Jones, Kevin Reeves and Inaki Bergara to swap the DW Stadium for similar roles under their former manager Roberto Martinez at Finch Farm.
Along the M62, Round will reprise his role as Moyes' assistant, with Woods becoming goalkeeping coach and Lumsden a general coach. Woods, 53, had been Everton's goalkeeping coach since 1998 when he was brought to the club by Walter Smith. He continued the role under Moyes when he took the reins in 2002. Lumsden, 65, had worked with Moyes at Preston and followed him to Goodison Park in the summer of 2002. Round, 42, was appointed Everton's assistant manager in July 2008 when he arrived from Newcastle United, filling the void created when Alan Irvine, Moyes' previous deputy, left for the manager's job at Preston.

Ross Barkley pleads with Leighton Baines to stay at Everton FC
1 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Phil Kirkbride
Blues teenager hoping star defender won't be courted by former boss David Moyes at Manchester United
Ross Barkley has urged Leighton Baines to turn down a move to Manchester United.
The Everton teenager wants Baines to stay at Goodison Park next and resist the temptation to follow David Moyes to Old Trafford. United lodged a £12m bid for the England defender last week but Everton are not prepared to sell the 28-year-old. Barkley, who has been representing England at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey, says Baines is a player he looks up to and hopes to be able to keep learning from at Goodison Park. “I’ve been following what is happening at Everton and I desperately want Leighton to stay,” he said. “He’s someone I look up to, a role model in how he conducts himself and the strides he has made in his career.” England crashed out of the tournament at the weekend when they lost 2-0 to Egypt. Needing a victory to advance from the group stage after starting their campaign with successive draws, England failed to make their superiority count and were struggling once Egypt went in front 11 minutes from time. Barkley had been denied before the break with England also hitting the bar but Hassan Ahmed’s stoppage-time effort piled further humiliation on England as they finished bottom of Group E. Manager Peter Taylor acknowledged the display was the worst of his reign. “I thought we would win tonight, to be honest, because I thought we were improving as a team,” he said. “Unfortunately, it was our worst performance since we’ve been here, but I don’t think I’ve seen a team create as many chances and lost a game 2-0 and that’s why it’s frustrating.” He continued: “If you don’t play as well as you can and you don’t take chances, you get punished, and that’s what happened tonight. “Egypt showed good character to win the match tonight having lost the previous two games. “We still feel we could have scored more goals and that’s the mistake that we made. “Their first goal was very well taken and the second came when we were trying to get back into it.” Taylor tried to look for positives following his team’s exit, adding: “The experience of playing in the U20 World Cup will have been fantastic for everybody. It’s a brilliant competition, but we’re disappointed.”

Trophy drought fuels the hunger for new Manchester United FC manager David Moyes
1 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
By Phil Kirkbride
The Scot's lack of silverware will spur him on as he officially takes office at Old Trafford today
Performance psychologist Michael Finnigan insists David Moyes will be even more hungry to succeed in his new job as Manchester United boss because he has never won a major trophy as a manager.
Finnigan has worked closely with Moyes for 15 years, ensuring the Scot retains the mental strength required to keep moving forward in the most high pressured of situations. Moyes will be analysed as never before as he begins the task of replacing Alex Ferguson. His first official day in the new job is today, July 1. “I don’t care what it is, I always turn a situation into a positive,” Finnigan said.“If it was a question of him never winning a title I would say ‘fantastic’. It just makes him more hungry to succeed. “Before I worked with Jimmy White he had never beaten Stephen Hendry. I didn’t see that as a problem. I just felt he was learning how to beat him. And he did. “It doesn’t matter whether David has won titles or not, he will be judged on his interaction and within a couple of minutes the person will win you over. Any further perceptions are in the person’s own head.” Finnigan’s clients also include golfer Darren Clarke, former cricketer Andrew Flintoff and Wigan’s FA Cup-winning
. squad – managed by none other than new Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

MOYES BACK FOR £16M BAINES
I have great faith that we can together build upon the success this club has enjoyed over many years.
David Moyes on his new coaching staff
2nd July 2013 Daily Star
By Jeremy Cross
MANCHESTER UNITED are set to make an improved £16m bid for Leighton Baines in the hope of luring him to Old Trafford
Everton last week rejected a £12m offer for the England defender, with chairman Bill Kenwright keen to keep him at Goodison. Kenwright is fuming that former boss David Moyes has tried to raid his old club for one of their prize assets. He has offered Baines a £70,000-aweek deal and hopes he won't walk out on the Toffees for United. But Moyes wants his man and will test Everton's resolve with a bigger offer. Kenwright knows he could have no choice but to sell Baines and is holding out for closer to £20m. But United are hoping their second bid will result in a compromise being reached between the two clubs. Moyes, meanwhile, has returned to Goodison to take three members of his coaching staff with him to United. Moyes has appointed Steve Round as his new No.2 following Mike Phelan's departure. Chris Woods will also become goalkeeping coach and Jimmy Lumsden will replace Rene Meulensteen as first-team coach. Moyes has backed the trio to rise to the challenge and help him continue the huge success United enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes said: "I have worked with Steve, Chris and Jimmy for a number of years and I'm delighted they have decided to join me at this great club. "They bring great qualities in their respective fields and I know that, like me, they feel that this is a challenge to relish. "I have great faith that we can together build upon the success this club has enjoyed over many years." Moyes arrived at Carrington training HQ yesterday for his first official day in charge since succeeding Fergie. He is expected to hold further talks with Wayne Rooney when the England star reports back for pre-season training later this week. United have told both Chelsea and Arsenal that Rooney is not for sale and the 27-year-old is expected to tell Moyes he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

Everton FC line up move for Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone
Jul 2 2013 Daily Post
EVERTON are set to make Wigan duo Arouna Kone and Antolin Alcaraz the first signings of Roberto Martinez’s Goodison reign.
The Blues have agreed a fee in the region of £6.5m for 29-year-old Ivory Coast hit-man Kone, and are now in advanced talks with Latics chairman Dave Whelan. Kone, who scored 13 goals under Martinez last term, is keen to be reunited with his former boss, and is likely to join this week, with free-agent Alcaraz also likely to be unveiled before the weekend. Martinez is keen to get his business done quickly now he has returned from commentating on the Confederations Cup for EPSN, so new arrivals can benefit from a full pre-season with Everton’s players due back at Finch Farm tomorrow. The departures of coaches Steve Round, Chris Woods and Jimmy Lumsden mean it will be all change at the Halewood training complex, and reserves coach Andy Holden is also expected to leave the club as the Spaniard’s reshuffle begins to take shape. Meanwhile, Martinez is bracing himself for the next stage in Manchester United’s pursuit of England defender Leighton Baines. The new Toffees boss wants to sit down with Baines tomorrow and convince him that his future lies with Everton, but that is unlikely to deter David Moyes from returning with an improved offer on the £12m which was firmly rebuffed last week. The Red Devils interest may be unwelcome at Goodison – but it is inevitable according to SKY pundit and former United defender Gary Neville.Neville said he had admired Baines because of his consistence and high performance levels over recent seasons. “I’ve seen a lot of the speculation over the last few days about Leighton,” he said. “He had a fantastic season last year and was brilliant for Everton. “He’s been a great performer for the last few years and it’s inevitable that he will be linked with the top clubs in the Premier League.”

Everton FC boss Martinez hails Leighton Baines as Goodison icon
3 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Blues boss says club will resist any offers from Manchester United to keep hold of their Player of the Year
Leighton Baines has been labelled an “Everton icon” by new Blues boss Roberto Martinez – in the clearest indication yet that the Goodison club will fight tooth and nail to keep their Player of the Year out of the clutches of Manchester United. Former Goodison boss David Moyes made a £12m bid for the England international last week – instantly rejected by the Blues. He is expected to return with an improved offer, but Martinez has given a glowing endorsement of Baines’ qualities and says he can’t wait to start working with him. “I think Leighton is more than a player, he is an icon,” said Martinez who has been at Finch Farm all week since returning from contractual obligations at the Confederations Cup in Brazil at the weekend. “He represents a lot about our football club and I am really, really excited about Leighton. “This is a big season for him and for us as a club. When you are the left-back of this football club, and the level that he has been reaching over the last few years consistently, it shows me that he is the best left-back in the country. I can’t wait to start working with him.” Baines himself has been unperturbed by the speculation over his future. He spent the weekend at the Glastonbury music festival where he posed for photos with singer friend Miles Kane and Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. Some of Everton’s senior squad return to pre-season training on Thursday, with players involved in end of season internationals given a few days longer.Everton hope to have Martinez’s first signings in place by then – with the Blues closing on deals for Paraguayan defender Antolin Alcaraz and striker Arouna Kone. One of the Blues’ longest serving players, 345-match Leon Osman, says he is looking forward to welcoming new team-mates and is relishing the extra competition for places. “Every new manager likes to bring in some of his own players,” he said. “It will be beneficial for us to strengthen the team and make it better. I’m looking forward to seeing who he will bring in.” Osman is also eagerly awaiting an opportunity to learn a little more about Martinez’s football philosophy. “Of course I’m looking forward to seeing how he wants us to play,” he added. “I think the way we have developed as a team over the last few years and the way we have attacked, it made sense to bring the manager in here. “The way he likes his teams to play and the way we have been going about it so far, it seems like a great match. “I was very happy when we found out it was him. With so many clubs having new managers it will be interesting to see how the new season pans out. It will be interesting to see what new styles and systems maybe come into the those teams, and which sides gel first and come out the blocks quickest. I have met the new manager. He seems a really nice guy and from what I have seen he is already working as hard as he can to make this great club better. “It’s just known that when a manager leaves he takes his backroom staff with him, so its not just one face that leaves its up to six or seven. On the other side of it, a new manager brings in new faces with him. There has been a summer of big changes at the club but I don’t think it will change what we are and we are made up of and the spirit that we have had here. We have had that over all these years and I don’t think that will change.”

Everton FC target Arouna Kone ideal signing says Blues legend Graeme Sharp
3 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
By David Prentice
Roberton Martinez hoping to link up with Wigan striker at Goodison Park
It was a first half display of such devastating intensity and prowess, that an experienced World Cup finalist was reduced to a nervous wreck. Arouna Kone etched himself into the memory of Evertonians – and John Heitinga in particular – during the first half of the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Wigan at the DW stadium in October. Kone scored the opener and prompted an agitated David Moyes to withdraw his Dutch centre back at half-time. Now the fans who watched him torment their side last season will get to see the pacy Ivorian worrying opposition back-lines clad in royal blue next term, if his £6m switch from the Latics goes through as expected. And the 29-year-old has already impressed one influential observer of all things Everton, who knows a thing or two about scoring goals at Goodison Park and beyond. Graeme Sharp believes the imminent arrival of the former Sevilla and PSV hit-man will only benefit the Toffees forward line next term. “To unsettle a defence as solid as Everton’s so much that the manager makes changes, like Moyes did at Wigan last year is no mean feat,” says Sharp. “He really troubled Heitinga and not just him – the entire Blues back four had their hands full with him. “He showed his attributes well that day. The lad has pace, he’s strong and he knows where the back of the net is. “His hold-up play is good too which is important for strikers in the Premier League these days. He can bring others into play.” Kone scored 13 goals in all competitions in his debut English top-flight season, and Sharp hopes that is a sign of things to come.
“For a team which ultimately were relegated you’ve got to say 13 goals isn’t bad,” says Blues ambassador Sharp. “You’d like to think that in a better team his goal return will be better. His goals weren’t all just one type either. “Some were with his right foot, others his left and he scored the odd header. His movement was good and he obviously works well for the team.” Sharp admits that there is a degree of risk in the signing although he insists Everton have needed extra fire power for long enough. “It’s always a gamble to some degree when you bring in new players and there’s always the fear that strikers new to this division could suffer second season syndrome in the way we saw Nikica Jelavic struggle at times last season. “But the important thing is that Roberto Martinez knows him better than anyone else and clearly has faith that he can take his game up another level, which will be necessary if he’s going to be a hit at Everton. “Everton are already a top six side and ideally they need a striker who can bang in around 20 goals a season if they’re to progress. Is Kone that? We don’t know yet but we have to trust Martinez’s judgement. He obviously thinks Kone can improve the squad. “Jelavic has a lot to prove next season and Victor Anichebe has his own strengths but is maybe not an out and out goalscorer. “Only time will tell but we have been craving a prolific striker for some time and hopefully Kone will be the answer.”

Everton FC to sign Arouna Kone this week insists Wigan chairman Dave Whelan
3 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
By Peter Guy
Ivory Coast forward to sign in the next 24 hours says Latics chief
Everton will sign Arouna Kone this week insists Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan.
The Blues are finalising negotiations with the Latics over a deal for the Ivory Coast forward, who is expected to sign in the next 24 hours. “Three clubs have made offers for him – Everton is definitely one – as he had a clause in his contract that he could go if someone paid £5million,” Whelan said.
“It is really up to him where he wants to go now and I think he will go to Everton.”
However, Whelan is keen to hang on to his other key players – such as midfielder James McCarthy – to give Martinez’s successor Owen Coyle every chance of getting back in the Premier League.
“We have always got interest in one or two lads but we have hopes of holding on to them,” said the Wigan chairman. “We have had people asking of course but we have had nothing serious on the table.” Whelan also confirmed that Roberto Martinez has been reunited with key members of his Wigan backroom staff after a deal was completed to take them to Goodison Park. Assistant Graeme Jones, chief scout Kevin Reeves and goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara plus a member of the Latics’ medical staff have all followed the Spaniard to the Premier League club. Their arrival was made possible by the departure of Steve Round, Jimmy Lumsden and Chris Woods to Manchester United to link up again with former Toffees boss David Moyes. “Roberto has taken who he wants with him,” the Latics chairman said. “That deal has been done and we have already filled the vacancies.”
Whelan said there was no compensation involved as he regarded the settlement he received from Everton for Martinez, believed to be around £1.5million for the Spaniard’s final year of his contract, enough. “We wouldn’t even attempt to (get compensation) for staff who worked with Roberto as we got what was due to us for Roberto,” he added.

Baines D-day: Defender in crunch talks with Everton over switch to United
3 Jul 2013 Manchester Evening News
By Stuart Mathieson
The 28-year-old has been left to stew on the prospect of joining his former boss David Moyes at the champions and Baines is now set for talks with Martinez
United are awaiting the outcome of a meeting today between Leighton Baines and new Everton boss Roberto Martinez before returning to Goodison with an increased offer for the England left-back.
The Reds had their opening bid of around £12m rejected by Everton chairman Bill Kenwright last week. They have let the 28-year-old stew on the prospect of joining his former boss David Moyes at the champions and Baines is now set for talks with Martinez. The player was upbeat about the arrival of the FA Cup-winning Spaniard from Wigan, but that was before United showed their hand and made their first official transfer bid of the summer. The landscape has now changed and Martinez is facing a real battle to keep the full-back, who wants to leapfrog Chelsea’s Ashley Cole in the England squad before a potential World Cup in Brazil next summer. Cole has signed a new one-year-deal at Stamford Bridge and Baines knows with Jose Mourinho back on board and Champions League football on the calendar at Chelsea, Cole could still have the edge. So the chance of playing Champions League football with the Reds would be a major attraction. Baines cost Everton £6m from Wigan in 2007 and after six years solid service at Goodison a profit of more than £10m is likely to persuade Kenwright not to stand in his way. Moyes will keep a keen ear on the outcome at Goodison as he has his own showdown meeting over Wayne Rooney’s United future today.
Meanwhile, it looks as though United target Kevin Strootman is about to slip away from the Reds.
The midfielder is said to have been on the radar but his club PSV Eindhoven are adamant they want to keep their 23-year-old captain. The Dutch club have lost three players this summer Dries Mertens (to Napoli), Erik Pieters (Stoke City) and Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev) and don’t want to see another depart. PSV technical director Marcel Brands said: “We do not want to lose Strootman. He knows himself that he will play another season at PSV.”

Aroune Kone's at his peak, says Roberto Martinez
4 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Blues excited by the prospect of being reunited with Ivory Coast striker
Wigan Athletic's Arouna Kone celebrates their victory over Manchester City, after the final whistle
Age will not be a bar to Arouna Kone making a success of his Everton career if, as expected, the Ivory Coast international completes a £6.5m switch from Wigan. After a previously acknowledged transfer policy which focused on recruiting younger players with potential sell-on value – with a handful of notable exceptions – some fans have raised eyebrows at the Toffees spending a significant sum on a striker who turns 30 in November. But manager Roberto Martinez, who brought Kone to England last summer and has followed his career for many years, has no age concerns. “Arouna had a big injury to his cruciate and missed one and a half years. That can sometimes be negative, but in his case it was the opposite. “It refreshed him and he is a young 29-year- old,” said the Blues boss. “He’s at the peak of his career. “When you get a player where from the physical point of view, to the tactical and the technical he is in peak condition, it really excites you and that’s where Arouna is. “He had a fantastic move from Holland to Seville for big, big money where he had a little bit of trouble with inconsistency and injuries, but now he is back to his very, very best and he will be a big asset. “Everyone would understand that he brings something different to what we have at the football club at the moment.” As talks continue with Wigan Martinez stressed: “Nothing has been confirmed with Arouna. “But it has been made public that we have made an approach and we’re still dealing with it.” But he insisted that if the negotiations are successfully completed the Blues would be recruiting a “complete striker” who would increase competition for places in a crucial department of the team. “He’s a very complete striker,” he added. “You don’t get many foreign strikers who come to this league and settle in straight away and be consistent over a season, but Arouna did that. “He’s powerful, his play with his back to the game is very strong, he links up really well, he can see a pass in the final third and he is a clinical finisher. “All in all he is a very rounded footballer. He is experienced.
“He has been in Germany, been in Holland, in Spain and he has been top goalscorer in many countries. “Now he is competing for the Ivory Coast and we all know that they always produce outstanding strikers so he is a little bit of a combination, but I would say that he is a very experienced footballer.” Martinez also added that Kone’s experience at Goodison Park in March, when a Wigan team which had just comprehensively ended Everton’s Wembley ambitions was warmly applauded off the pitch, was a contributory factor in the striker wanting to join the Blues.
“I think he was impressed with Goodison Park,” added Martinez. “His experience playing as an away player is something that gave him a great feeling and he was impressed – it was something that hasn’t happened to him too often.” Kone’s imminent arrival casts some doubt on Nikica Jelavic’s future, after the Croatian endured a classic case of second season syndrome following his explosive introduction from Rangers. But Martinez refused to say whether the Ivorian would be a complement or a replacement for the Croat. “I’m not looking into it that deeply,” he said.
“At this stage of the season what I want is to have the strongest possible squad. “I think we need four players – one per position –and that’s not looking at players or individuals at the moment, that’s just to start the work in pre-season, allow that competition that we need and then just to be aware that we need to go into every competition to win. “When we go into the League Cup we expect to have a strong squad, the FA Cup the same and also the League. And that’s looking at the youngsters as well. “I want to get the strongest possible squad. “That’s not looking at any individuals. Good players can always play together – and good players are needed.
“I followed Arouna for many years before we managed to work together and I thought his introduction into the Premier League was impressive. “He will be a massive asset to the dressing room on the understanding that we have quite a few good strikers at the club already.
“All we want is to be stronger after every window and that’s what we are going to try to do.”

Phil Neville set to join David Moyes at Manchester United
4 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Ex-Blues skipper to hook up again with new Old Trafford boss Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes with captain Phil Neville
Phil Neville is set to become the latest recruit to David Moyes' coaching team at Manchester United.
Although there has been no official confirmation, it is understood Neville was at the renamed Aon training complex this morning for the first full day of training since Moyes was installed as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement. Long-serving player Ryan Giggs has also been named as a player-coach.
Neville's appointment would represent yet another switch from Everton following the earlier appointments of Steve Round, Chris Woods and Jimmy Lumsden. However, in Neville's case it also brings a vast amount of experience of life at United. Neville made 386 appearances in 11 seasons as a first-team player with the Old Trafford club. During that time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League before leaving to join Everton in 2005, where he overcame some initial scepticism to become a crowd favourite. Neville confirmed his intention to retire at the end of last season, although new Everton boss Roberto Martinez had claimed he intended to speak with the 36-year-old about a coaching role. However, a return to the club he supported as a boy was always likely to prove attractive and it is no surprise Moyes has opted to build on the close working relationship he developed with Neville during their time together at Goodison Park. Neville has never made any secret of his desire to push forward with a coaching career and this summer was part of Stuart Pearce's backroom team at the European Under-21 Championship. In addition to bringing a sense of continuity following the departures of not only Ferguson but also his assistants Mike Phelan, Eric Steele and Rene Meulensteen, Neville will provide a useful link between the dressing room and the manager. There has still been no word on Wayne Rooney's status though, with the formal talks that had been anticipated yesterday apparently put on hold. Rooney has returned for pre-season in good condition though, which, by his own admission, has not always been the case. And despite the massive upheaval at Old Trafford this summer, that has also seen the exit of chief executive David Gill, the atmosphere is said to be upbeat ahead of the new campaign, which begins next Wednesday when United head off on their five-match summer tour of the Far East and Australia.

Luke Garbutt signs new two-year Blues deal
4 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
20-year-old left-back was part of the England squad at this summer’s Under-20s World Cup
Everton defender Luke Garbutt has signed a new two-year deal with the Blues.
The England youth international is now under contract at Goodison Park until the summer of 2015.
Garbutt joined Everton from Leeds United in July 2009, originally on scholarship terms before penning his first professional deal a year later. The 20-year-old left-back spent the 2011/12 campaign on loan at Cheltenham Town where he featured in 36 matches for the League Two outfit. He returned to Everton last summer and made his first-team debut for the Blues in their 5-0 Capital Cup second round victory over Leyton Orient at Goodison Park. Injury stunted Garbutt’s progress during the early part of the 2012/13 season but the youngster did return to full fitness after the turn of the year and made a total of 19 starts for Alan Stubbs’ second string in the inaugural Under-21s Premier League campaign. This summer Garbutt was part of the England squad at this summer’s Under-20s World Cup. He started the Three Lions’ final group game against Egypt last Saturday where Peter Taylor’s side slipped to a 2-0 defeat and, consequently, made an early exit from the tournament.
* DAVID MOYES’ chief scout Robbie Cooke has followed the Scot to Manchester United.
Roberto Martinez has replaced him with Kevin Reeves joining from Wigan Athletic.

Mark Lawrenson: Losing Baines would be Everton FC’s biggest summer setback
The Liverpool Post
Jul 4 2013
IT HAS become a familiar theme for Everton supporters, the annual worry over whether their star player is about to leave the club. This year is no different, with Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, apparently, on the radars of the Premier League big boys. It’s a less than ideal situation for Roberto Martinez to walk into, as he begins work at Goodison Park this week, but the Spaniard will have been prepared for it I am sure. It is a fact of life at Everton, unfortunately, that the best players attract the attention of clubs with more money. David Moyes’ move to Manchester United, of course, has exacerbated the Baines situation somewhat. Baines has been one of Moyes’ big success stories at Everton, one of the reasons his reputation has soared high enough for him to get the United job. I don’t think anybody was surprised when news of their bid for Baines broke late last week. Nor, I suspect, was anyone surprised when Everton knocked it back. For me, Baines is Everton’s best player, their most important player, and the one who will be most difficult to replace.I know Fellaini would, I would suspect, command a higher fee, given his age and position, but Baines is the one who Everton would struggle to live without. His development at Goodison has been extraordinary. English football has been lucky enough to boast a left-back of the calibre of Ashley Cole for the last 10 years or so, a truly world class player. Well I think Baines is on the same level at the moment, maybe even better. United need a left-back. Patrice Evra is winding down his career, whilst Alex Buttner doesn’t look like he is going to step up and replace him. Baines’ ability to pass the ball and whip in crosses would fit in very well at Old Trafford, and he has the right temperament to be a huge success with United. For Everton, though, the loss would be huge. Fellaini is a good player, an effective player, but he is replaceable. I don’t think you will find another left-back that does what Leighton Baines does, even if you get £15m for him. It’s a less than ideal situation, of course, but if Everton do have to part company with one of their big two this summer, I’d be urging them to make sure it’s the Belgian who heads out the door, and not the understated Scouser.

Newcastle aiming to hijack potential Martinez reunion with £5m Kone at Everton
By Damian Spellman, Press Association
July 4 2013 The Daily Mail
Newcastle have been given permission to speak to Wigan striker Arouna Kone.
However, they will have to battle it out with Everton for the Ivorian’s signature with former Latics boss Roberto Martinez keen to take him to Goodison Park. It is understood the 29-year-old has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the DW Stadium in the wake of relegation from the Barclays Premier League. News of the Magpies’ interest in Kone emerged through the website of owner Mike Ashley’s sportswear company, Sports Direct. It is not yet clear whether or not Newcastle have agreed a fee with Wigan for the proposed transfer, but they are sure to face stiff competition from Everton. Kone arrived at Wigan from Spanish cub Levante last summer and prospered under Martinez, scoring 13 goals in his first season in English football. Alan Pardew is desperate to add striker-power to his squad after seeing his team struggling in the wake of Demba Ba’s January departure for Chelsea. Papiss Cisse carried the burden of providing the goals following Ba’s exit, and although he too struck 13 times in total, he alone was unable to prevent the club slipping into a relegation fight.

Everton FC's Martinez still hopeful of landing Arouna Kone despite Newcastle bid
5 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
By Gregg O’Keefe
Blues confident as Kone as heart set on Goodison
Roberto Martinez is hoping he will still be able to complete a deal to be reunited with Arouna Kone despite a last-ditch attempt by Newcastle United to hijack the move. Everton have been in advanced talks to sign the £6.5m Wigan forward this week, but it emerged yesterday that Toon boss Alan Pardew had made an offer which also activated the 29-year-old’s release clause at the DW stadium. However, it appears the Ivory Coast international is set on a move to Goodison, and new Toffees boss Martinez will attempt to push through a deal for the player he signed 12 months ago before the weekend. Kone was a hit during his first campaign in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals in all competitions for the Latics. But his availability has alerted several clubs as well as Everton, with Newcastle also given permission to speak to his representatives. News of the Magpies’ interest in Kone (right) emerged through the website of owner Mike Ashley’s sportswear company, www.sportsdirect news. com. Trusted journalists on Tyneside yesterday insisted that Kone (right) does not fit into United’s blueprint and any move for the former PSV and Levante hit-man would see a major U-turn in the club’s policy. Meanwhile, one striker who is already at Goodison is excited to get the new campaign underway as part of the new regime.
Victor Anichebe admits he was disappointed to see David Moyes leave the club, but now has his eyes set on the future, under a manager who has shown interest in signing him while at Wigan.
“I was sad to see David Moyes go because I have been with him for so long and he is the one that brought me through, but we have brought in a great young manager who plays great football,” said the Nigeria international. “It’s going to be a really exciting time for us and we are going to be playing completely differently. It’s going to bring a new breath of fresh air to everyone. “Everyone has got a great chance and has to compete. There are no guaranteed starters because it is a different manager. It’s going to be an interesting season.”

Gauntlet now thrown down to Anichebe
6 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Phil Kirkbride
Strongman striker faces battle to retain place
“HE is powerful, his play with his back to the game is very strong, he links up play very well.”
Victor Anichebe could have been forgiven for reading Robert Martinez’s words in the ECHO this week and thinking his new manager was describing him.
The Everton manager was, however, talking about Arouna Kone.
Anichebe returned to Finch Farm this week and spoke about needing to hit the ground running in order to impress the new boss. But the 25-year-old’s challenge to keep hold of the starting shirt he finished last season with will become that much harder once Kone’s arrival is finalised.
Martinez went on to evaluate the Ivory Coast international as being able to “see a pass in the final third” and as a “clinical finisher”. They are not attributes too often associated with Anichebe and by shelling out £6.5m on Kone, it appears Martinez has his main man up front. The gauntlet has been thrown down to Everton’s strongman striker. Last season was by far his most productive for the club. In 32 appearances he bagged eight goals and served up some of his most complete and mature performances to date. His goal put the seal on a win at Newcastle United, another got the Blues back into a game with West Ham United and his strike gave Everton something to hang on to in a baffling first half at home to Aston Villa. And in a campaign when David Moyes could no longer rely on Nikica Jelavic to justify a starting position, Anichebe at least gave Everton a sense of direction up front. But the man who poured his faith and patience into Anichebe is no longer at the club. Moyes’s successor is certain to have an opinion on the Nigerian and, depending on who you believe, showed interest in taking him to Wigan last summer. But gone is Anichebe’s safety net in Moyes. The striker is now out on his own and like every other player at the club and has to prove himself all over again. He said this week about being “excited” about the new era at Goodison Park and let us hope he means it. Because Anichebe has shown just how good he can be.
He has the ability to dominate defenders, to bring others into play and also change the face of games. Injury-free and in the right frame of mind he could comfortably be plundering 15 goals a season. Martinez saw that first hand in February last year when Anichebe came off the bench to drag Everton out of their slumber and rescue them a point with a headed equaliser in a bulldozing display. The key now is not let Kone’s arrival defeat him. Instead it needs to inspire Anichebe and drive him towards the best football of his career. Better than last season. Heading towards his peak years, Anichebe cannot use Moyes’s departure to Manchester United and Kone’s arrival as reason to walk around with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
But instead as the challenge to leave Martinez with no option but to pick him.
It could be a very Miami nice prize for one lucky fan
PRE-ORDERING the Everton home shirt could land you a trip to watch the Blues in the United States. Everton have launched their new home strip for the forthcoming Premier League campaign and will wear it during their pre-season schedule this summer. The club say anyone who places an order for the new kit before July 23 will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a trip to Miami to see Everton in their final International Champions Cup game.
The prize, for a supporter and one guest, includes VIP tickets to the game, return flights and accommodation and the chance to meet members of the first-team squad.
The winner will be drawn at random and the prize is subject to strict terms and conditions.
To view the full terms and conditions visit the website www.evertondirect.com
Betis really are foreign opposition to Martinez
REAL BETIS will provide Everton with a final test of the summer before the start of the Premier League campaign. The La Liga side head for Goodison Park on Sunday, August 11 in what will double up as Roberto Martinez's first home game in charge. Everton are no strangers to Spanish opposition having faced Malaga and Villarreal on a couple of occasions in recent years.
But the idea that this game provides Martinez with a fitting summer send-off against a club from his homeland is not quite correct. Everton's new manager, born in Balaguer, considers himself Catalan. Last year he won the award for Catalan Coach of the Year and is a proud son of the autonomous community within the Spanish border. So for Martinez, Betis are foreign opposition as well.

Gauntlet now thrown down to Anichebe
6 Jul 2013 Liverpool Echo
Phil Kirkbride
Strongman striker faces battle to retain place
“HE is powerful, his play with his back to the game is very strong, he links up play very well.”
Victor Anichebe could have been forgiven for reading Robert Martinez’s words in the ECHO this week and thinking his new manager was describing him. The Everton manager was, however, talking about Arouna Kone. Anichebe returned to Finch Farm this week and spoke about needing to hit the ground running in order to impress the new boss. But the 25-year-old’s challenge to keep hold of the starting shirt he finished last season with will become that much harder once Kone’s arrival is finalised. Martinez went on to evaluate the Ivory Coast international as being able to “see a pass in the final third” and as a “clinical finisher”. They are not attributes too often associated with Anichebe and by shelling out £6.5m on Kone, it appears Martinez has his main man up front.
The gauntlet has been thrown down to Everton’s strongman striker. Last season was by far his most productive for the club. In 32 appearances he bagged eight goals and served up some of his most complete and mature performances to date. His goal put the seal on a win at Newcastle United, another got the Blues back into a game with West Ham United and his strike gave Everton something to hang on to in a baffling first half at home to Aston Villa. And in a campaign when David Moyes could no longer rely on Nikica Jelavic to justify a starting position, Anichebe at least gave Everton a sense of direction up front. But the man who poured his faith and patience into Anichebe is no longer at the club. Moyes’s successor is certain to have an opinion on the Nigerian and, depending on who you believe, showed interest in taking him to Wigan last summer.
But gone is Anichebe’s safety net in Moyes. The striker is now out on his own and like every other player at the club and has to prove himself all over again. He said this week about being “excited” about the new era at Goodison Park and let us hope he means it. Because Anichebe has shown just how good he can be. He has the ability to dominate defenders, to bring others into play and also change the face of games.
Injury-free and in the right frame of mind he could comfortably be plundering 15 goals a season.
Martinez saw that first hand in February last year when Anichebe came off the bench to drag Everton out of their slumber and rescue them a point with a headed equaliser in a bulldozing display. The key now is not let Kone’s arrival defeat him. Instead it needs to inspire Anichebe and drive him towards the best football of his career. Better than last season. Heading towards his peak years, Anichebe cannot use Moyes’s departure to Manchester United and Kone’s arrival as reason to walk around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. But instead as the challenge to leave Martinez with no option but to pick him.
It could be a very Miami nice prize for one lucky fan
PRE-ORDERING the Everton home shirt could land you a trip to watch the Blues in the United States.
Everton have launched their new home strip for the forthcoming Premier League campaign and will wear it during their pre-season schedule this summer.
The club say anyone who places an order for the new kit before July 23 will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a trip to Miami to see Everton in their final International Champions Cup game. The prize, for a supporter and one guest, includes VIP tickets to the game, return flights and accommodation and the chance to meet members of the first-team squad.
The winner will be drawn at random and the prize is subject to strict terms and conditions.
To view the full terms and conditions visit the website www.evertondirect.com
Betis really are foreign opposition to Martinez
REAL BETIS will provide Everton with a final test of the summer before the start of the Premier League campaign. The La Liga side head for Goodison Park on Sunday, August 11 in what will double up as Roberto Martinez's first home game in charge. Everton are no strangers to Spanish opposition having faced Malaga and Villarreal on a couple of occasions in recent years.
But the idea that this game provides Martinez with a fitting summer send-off against a club from his homeland is not quite correct. Everton's new manager, born in Balaguer, considers himself Catalan. Last year he won the award for Catalan Coach of the Year and is a proud son of the autonomous community within the Spanish border.
So for Martinez, Betis are foreign opposition as well.