Kevin Mirallas: Martinez Has Given Me More Freedom

It’s been all-change at Goodison Park over the past few months; seeing David Moyes leave the club after transforming them from the relegation candidates into regular contenders for the top-six must have been a blow to the blue half of Merseyside.

Roberto Martinez knew he had big boots to fill when he took over from Moyes this summer, but he had experience of working with a restricted budget from his time at Swansea and Wigan. He excelled during both tenures and now looks to continue the trend of influencing his employers with a sprinkling of Spanish culture.

One of the biggest benefactors of the managerial change is Kevin Mirallas. The Belgium international has stated his love for Moyes and appreciates the decision to bring him the Premier League, but feels he is now finding his true form under Martinez.

“It’s easier because I speak Spanish with him and I understand better,” said Mirallas in a recent interview with Sky Sports.

“For me it is better, although I was very happy playing under David Moyes because he is a good manager, but Roberto is different because the Spanish style of playing football is different.”

He continued his appraisal of Martinez by saying that despite a poor performance in the opening game against Norwich City he is now excelling in his role on the right of Everton’s midfield.

“I feel I am more consistent now. I play better and better. The first game I was not so good and felt tired but now my body is excellent and everything is okay.

“I shot and for me it’s my goal. Gareth maybe touched it a little bit but I’ve seen the results on the television and it’s my name and my goal.”

He isn’t wrong either as his season summary shows his performance score has improved significantly since the opening day draw with the Canaries – reaching its peak this weekend with a n impressive 72. This included a goal and assist for the 26-year old as well as playing a further five key passes and completing 75% of his attempted take ons.

His high praise for Martinez is epitomised in his ambitions for the season; Mirallas feels the squad have all the quality needed to reach the Champions League next season and feels the Spaniard is key to this happening.

“The Spanish style of football is my type of football and with Roberto it is very different,” he continued.

“The ambition for the club this season is to reach the Champions League.

“It is a long campaign and it can be difficult to finish in the top four, but maybe it is possible for us to do it.”

A victory on Saturday was key for Martinez’s cause; the side needed to bounce back after a defeat to Manchester City and by seeing off a resilient Hull City they have kept their hopes of Champions League football alive. Though their opponents are ones they should be beating if they are to break into the top-four, they have proven to be valiant adversaries in their return to the top-flight and many sides will drop points against them this season.

<READ THE NEWS? NOT ENOUGH? WELL IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS WITH THIS KEVIN MIRALLAS STAT

Kevin Mirallas has created 13 chances in the Premier League this season, that’s more than any other Everton player has managed.