Roberto Martinez is confident he is not on a Raheem Sterling-style collision course with the new agent representing Everton star Romelu Lukaku .
Mino Raiola claimed last month that the former Chelsea forward would not have signed for the Goodison outfit if he had been under his guidance a year ago.
Everton boss Martinez would have been forgiven for being nervous when he saw the controversy across Merseyside this week surrounding Sterling and his outspoken representative Aidy Ward.
But the Blues chief claims he has no concerns that he is in for a similar tough time to the one facing Brendan Rodgers over Sterling’s future.
Martinez said: “Not at all. As I said before, Romelu is a vital player for us and someone we made a really big investment in because we believe in him.
“We always felt he had the potential to become one of the best there is and we have no worry whatsoever about his agent.
“All we want now is for him to have a good break. Last season, coming in on the back of the World Cup, was tough and we have seen a different Romelu since January.
“What we need now is for him to get a break and see the best of Romelu playing for Everton next season.
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“It’s down to him, but also down to us to make sure we bring in enough competition. Nobody has their position given to them, you have to earn the right, especially at a club like Everton where the number nine is a historic position.”
A disappointing season for Everton wraps up at home to Spurs on Sunday with Martinez clearly accepting that a gruelling Europa League campaign had a negative impact on their league form.
But he scoffs at suggestions that top clubs would rather miss out on a spot in Europe’s second-tier competition and claims Spurs would jump at a place in the Europa League if they can sneak in via Arsenal winning the FA Cup.
Martinez said: “Does being in the Europa League affect you in the Premier League? Yes, 100 per cent!
“You only have to look at the teams involved and you can see their average points return drops immensely.
“But the difficulty is a season with European football after a season with no European football - that’s a real change.
“But we have learned from it and, if you ask me, I don’t believe any football person doesn’t want to get into Europe.”
Martinez will give a late fitness test to out-going defender Sylvain Distin in the hope he can play and say farewell to the Goodison crowd .
