SIX NEW PLAYERS

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has revealed that he wants at least six new players at the club next season in order to target Champions League qualification.

Everton are most likely to be involved in the Europa league next season, which will put a huge strain on the resources at the club. Martinez has done wonders with the Everton team this campaign. They have not only played an attractive style of football, but they also still in contention for a top four spot with six matches remaining.

Even more brilliant is the fact that Champions League qualification still remains in their hands because their main competitor Arsenal are yet to visit Goodison Park before the end of the season. Martinez, who has been linked with the Barcelona job in the last few weeks, says that he has seen from his experience that a squad of 27 players plus the goalkeepers are essential if the team is to do well in both domestic and European competitions at the same time. If it is just the domestic league, then just 25 players in total will be sufficient.

As a result, Everton will be in the market for several names, but with the transfer budget of just £ 20 million. The club have been trying to keep Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry beyond their loans spells.

“We’ve got money but I didn’t want to spend it in January. That was clear. I didn’t think spending in January was the right thing to do. If we get in Europe I think that makes a difference of six players. I always found you can work on a squad of 21 players in the league and for domestic competitions. You need around 27 players plus keepers for Europe. It doesn’t have to be 27 senior players, it can be young players too, but 27,” said Martinez.