Roberto Martinez needs to get the best out of midfield pair Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley if Everton are to enjoy a successful campaign.

That’s the view of former Arsenal defender and pundit Martin Keown, who is a big fan of the creative duo.

Keown indicated he believes Everton underperformed last season but he has backed boss Martinez to turn their fortunes around in the coming campaign and he feels Belgian winger Mirallas and England international Barkley can lead the revival.

He told premierleague.com: “They got 72 points in 2013/14 and then 47 last season. It was an incredible difference, so this year is really important for them to get back, and I’m sure they will. There is no doubt they’ve got the quality to do it. Martinez will have been mulling over how to improve things tactically over the summer.

“Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley are two players who really excite me. I think it’s a case of, can Martinez get both of those players on the pitch at the same time and try and develop a system that incorporates both of them? Because when they run at people they are great talents.”

Everton have brought in Gerard Deulofeu and Tom Cleverley already this summer and more new arrivals are expected before the start of the new season as Martinez bids to get the Goodison Park side challenging at the top end of the table after last season’s flirtation with a relegation battle.

Everton begin the new season with a home game against promoted Watford and they can be backed at 1.70 to take all three points.

Martinez’s side are 34.00 to be the top north west club, while city rivals Liverpool are available at 9.00.