Everton Season Prediction: Martinez Has Tools To Keep Toffees Successful

Last season

Premier League: 6th

FA Cup: Quarter-finals

League Cup: Round 3

Top scorer: Marouane Fellaini (11)

Summer work

Usually a side so used to a complete lack of transfer activity in the summer, under new manager Roberto Martinez Everton have been somewhat reinvigorated this time around. Martinez has brought Arouna Kone from Wigan along with him for a fee of €7m, while the club achieved a positive coup in landing Spanish forward Gerard Deulofeu on loan from Barcelona to beef up their attacking options.

Antolin Alcaraz on a free transfer from Wigan could prove to be a shrewd piece of business and the arrival of Spanish keeper Joel Robles for a price of €4m makes up a Spanish flavour alongside Deulofeu in the manager's incoming deals. As ever, their outgoings will likely be more important as Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines both continue to attract interest from elsewhere but Martinez insists neither have received concrete offers as of yet.

Manager - Roberto Martinez

Martinez seemed the perfect fit to replace Moyes at Everton, with the manager displaying similar qualities in being able to make the most of a side on a limited budget. Wigan played out of their skin to remain in the Premier League for a number of seasons and when the side finally did what so many had predicted and were relegated to the Championship in May, Martinez was offered the opportunity to do much of the same at Everton and take the club above their means.

Last season was particularly successful for the Toffees, where the club pushed for Champions League football until late on in the season and took the Merseyside bragging rights as they finished above Liverpool. Martinez's goal is to continue this achievement and get an uncharacteristically good start with the side that will certainly adhere him to the fans very quickly.

Key player - Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini's goals last season were yet another showing of just how important the midfielder is to the Everton line-up. Should he stay this season - Manchester United and Arsenal have shown some interest but neither have put in a bid - the 25 year old will continue to be the man to create chances and score them for the side and will be a powerful tool for Martinez in his mission to get Everton back into European football.

Expectations

Everton fans will be aware that the rebuilding process after Moyes' exit will bring some pain before it presents pleasure, as Martinez looks to make subtle changes to the squad and put in place his own tactics. A mid-table finish will be the minimum requirement and if the Toffees can challenge for the top six like they did last season, it will certainly be enough for a club hoping for stability to continue.

Prediction

A small drop for a club rebuilding, Everton will maintain their safe place in the Premier League's top half. 8th.