Everton full-back Cuco Martina says he is relishing playing for “a big Club with a big history”.
The 28-year-old signed for the Blues last summer after leaving Southampton, and has drawn praise from boss Sam Allardyce for his performances in an unfamiliar left-back role.
He has played every minute of every Premier League game since Allardyce took charge in late November, and contributed to the side’s improved defensive record under the new boss.
Martina has embraced playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs, and says Everton’s passionate supporters are also a source of inspiration.
“It is really special,” he told evertonfc.com. “It is a really big club with a big history, and with great fans. They really support us.”
After being edged out at Watford last weekend – despite a diligent display from Martina against the dangerous Gerard Deulofeu – Everton will now aim to hit straight back when they face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The Blues go into the game just three points behind the seventh-placed Clarets, knowing a win a would take them level with Sean Dyche’s men.
Martina will he hoping to produce another accomplished defensive display at Turf Moor, as well as carry an attacking threat. The Curacao international has impressed going forward of late – recently setting up goals for Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert Lewin with pinpoint crosses.
Martina says he can learn valuable lessons from another rampaging full-back in the Toffees’ ranks.
“I’d saw [Seamus] Coleman play a lot but had never played with him,” Martina explains. “The first game he played was against Leicester City.
“I was thinking, ‘He is so good for a player who did not play for a long time!’. He impressed me a lot.
“In that game he showed me some things where I thought, ‘I need to do that as well to grow more as a player’.”
The 28-year-old signed for the Blues last summer after leaving Southampton, and has drawn praise from boss Sam Allardyce for his performances in an unfamiliar left-back role.
He has played every minute of every Premier League game since Allardyce took charge in late November, and contributed to the side’s improved defensive record under the new boss.
Martina has embraced playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs, and says Everton’s passionate supporters are also a source of inspiration.
“It is really special,” he told evertonfc.com. “It is a really big club with a big history, and with great fans. They really support us.”
After being edged out at Watford last weekend – despite a diligent display from Martina against the dangerous Gerard Deulofeu – Everton will now aim to hit straight back when they face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The Blues go into the game just three points behind the seventh-placed Clarets, knowing a win a would take them level with Sean Dyche’s men.
Martina will he hoping to produce another accomplished defensive display at Turf Moor, as well as carry an attacking threat. The Curacao international has impressed going forward of late – recently setting up goals for Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert Lewin with pinpoint crosses.
Martina says he can learn valuable lessons from another rampaging full-back in the Toffees’ ranks.
“I’d saw [Seamus] Coleman play a lot but had never played with him,” Martina explains. “The first game he played was against Leicester City.
“I was thinking, ‘He is so good for a player who did not play for a long time!’. He impressed me a lot.
“In that game he showed me some things where I thought, ‘I need to do that as well to grow more as a player’.”
