Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating their first home match of the 2018/19 Premier League season, as they seek to build upon their draw on the opening weekend of the campaign.
Marco Silva’s men twice led newly-promoted Wolves at Molineux last time out but ended up having to settle for a share of the spoils in drawing 2-2 in the West Midlands, although the fact they were down to ten men for the entirety of the second half suggests that it was actually a point gained. Yet expectations will be high among Toffees fans that their team can record their first win of the season in their first home game on Saturday, when they welcome Mark Hughes’ Southampton to Goodison Park.
Yet one man who won’t be involved for the Merseyside outfit is defender Cuco Martina, who has officially joined Championship side Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 28-year-old made the move to Goodison Park back in 2017 after two years at Southampton, yet the full back has never really nailed down a first team place at Everton in earning just 28 appearances for the Toffees last season.
And with Seamus Coleman clearly the number one choice right back at the club, alongside the lesser need for Martina to deputise at left back following the arrival of Lucas Digne, the writing has been on the wall for the defender for some time, and he has now officially made the move to the Potters, in turn linking up with centre back Ashley Williams, who moved there earlier this month.
And while the Dutchman has been wished well by some Everton fans, many of them are extremely grateful to Stoke and indeed manager Rowett for taking both Martina and indeed Williams off their hands for the season, both of whom simply didn’t produce their best for the Toffees last time round…
Stoke City on behalf of all Evertonians, thank you
— Jase (@Jase_1878) August 17, 2018
God Bless Stoke
— Stu (@rossiwithani) August 17, 2018
Great stuff
— Chris Pritchard (@pasteysham) August 17, 2018
Gary rowett
MBE— Glen Raynor (@glenr76) August 17, 2018
Stoke have done Everton a great service this summer, taking both Martina and Williams away.
Marvellous stuff. #efc https://t.co/9lB58b8Y2k
— Elliott Cuff (@CuffWrites) August 17, 2018
it’s a miracle
— Nathan Fisher (@NathanFisher19) August 17, 2018
I will never slag Stoke again for taking Martina and Williams#EFC https://t.co/p9LrxzRlNA
— steve brown (@scouse51976) August 17, 2018
If Gary Rowett didn’t quite deserve a statue outside Goodison before, then he certainly does now
— Sean Dunning (@seandunning1983) August 17, 2018
Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!
