Martinez: “Keep the group together”

Roberto Martinez  reckons the most important aspect of this transfer window is “to keep the group together.”

Speaking to evertonfc.com, Martinez said: “We always like to assess and re-assess and try to get better, and during the period of the window you can do that. It was very important that we could get our business done early on and clearly that was to get two important targets for us.

“Gerard Deulofeu and Tom Cleverley are two players that are very, very important for the future of our football club and they’re [also] going to bring aspects that will benefit us this season.

“But then we’re still looking in a couple of positions that we’re going to be bringing in the right characters that are going to help the group we already have in place.

“Obviously the most important aspect of this transfer window is to keep the group together … and then the signings are just little add-ons and players that can bring an extra dimension.

“But, clearly, I’m delighted with the continuity we’ve had in the last, probably, 6 windows in being able to start building a group of players with a lot responsibility, with young talent that is fitting in with the enormous experience and players that we have.”