Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes new loan signing Lacina Traore will be a lot more than just a target man when the Ivorian dons a blue shirt for the first time in a couple of weeks.
Having beaten fellow Premier League outfit West Ham to the 23-year-old’s services, the Toffees are hoping to have the 6′ 8″ forward back from a hamstring problem in the next fortnight.
Traore’s arrival at Goodison Park has been questioned by some supporters, with the fear Martinez’s side will be abandoning their attractive football to play a more direct style up to the new arrival in attack.
However, the Spanish tactician has seen a lot more in the newcomer than many give him credit for and believes Traore will fit in well to his football philosophy.
Former Wigan Athletic boss Martinez said: “He is a very hungry footballer which, at this stage of the season, is very important. His size will give you the wrong impression of the way he is as a footballer.
“He is technically very gifted, he has a real understanding of the space and combination play around him and is really quick with his penetrating runs. He is a real athlete.
“All those aspects make us a little bit different because we haven’t got that sort of player with that presence and height. He is a footballer who is going to bring us a lot.”
Everton are next in action on Saturday when they host Aston Villa at Goodison Park, with the Toffees available at 1.41 to take all three points on home soil.
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