adminLONDON. — Roberto Martinez has urged his Everton players to finally get their season underway this weekend against a Chelsea side he believes will ‘take some stopping’ in the race for the title.
Having spent last month dealing with the uncertainty that surrounded the futures of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines — as well as trying to reshape his own squad — Martinez was glad to see the transfer window close; he only lost Fellaini to Manchester United and brought in James McCarthy, Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku.
Everton have opened the campaign with three consecutive draws but face what Martinez believes is the sternest possible test in the Barclays Premier League when Chelsea visit Goodison Park tomorrow evening.
But with all distractions now out of the way, Martinez — who will be without the ineligible Lukaku but is intending to give debuts to both Barry and McCarthy — wants Everton to show their true capabilities and get their first league victory under him.
‘‘This is a fresh start for us,’’ said Martinez.
‘‘The season starts now. We are catching up in terms of points and we have to take this as a real opportunity.
‘‘We want accept the responsibility and we want the pressure to do well.
‘‘We want Goodison to be a difficult place for teams to come to. We want to put the tension into the play. Playing at Goodison gives you an advantage. The crowd are close to the pitch and you have to take that edge.
‘‘It will take a lot to beat Chelsea. The experience and the amount of talent they have got. It will certainly take a lot to beat them (to the title) this season.’’
Despite only scoring two goals in their three opening Premier League games, Martinez is not concerned and has backed out-of-form Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic to starting finding the net again.
The 28-year-old has failed to score yet this season but Martinez pointed out the whole team has struggled in front of goal, not just the forward.
‘‘We have done enough to win games but we just haven’t scored. Nikica Jelavic has been working really hard and is creating chances,’’ he said.
‘‘We need to find that final pass and score more goals. It’s not down to Nikica Jelavic. It’s the team and we need to have more ruthlessness.
Everton had 15 players away during the international break and all appear to have returned to the club unscathed, according to Martinez.
The Spaniard hopes to have injured duo, Darron Gibson (knee) and Antolin Alcaraz (hernia) back available for selection in the next couple of weeks and spoke of his delight on how new signing Gareth Barry has settled into the squad.
‘‘We will find out how the 15 players who were away are.
“Some will have niggles and knocks but everyone seems to be fully fit,’’ Martinez said.
‘‘Darron Gibson and Antolin Alcaraz need a couple of weeks. They won’t be far away.” — Mailonline.
Online Reporter