Everton legend Andy Gray is tipping Kevin Mirallas to take the Premier League by storm next season.
After arriving at Everton almost a year ago, the Belgian overcame his injury problems and finished last term as one of the Premier League’s most in-form performers.
He netted superb solo goals against Stoke City and Tottenham in spring and later bagged an eye-catching brace against West Ham in the final home match of the campaign.
Like many Evertonians, Gray is excited at the prospect of Mirallas terrifying defences up and down the country under new manager Roberto Martinez’s guidance.
“Kevin Mirallas got six league goals and I thought he finished the season really well,” Gray explained to evertonfc.com. “I’m really excited by seeing how he will start because he gave a snap-shot of how good he might be.
“What I was impressed with was that when he got his chance he took it, so much so that David [Moyes] had to play him. He ended up starting over 25 games so that’s a measure of how important he was to Everton.
“I think Kevin could be one of the really big stars next season if he has a good pre-season and everything goes well for him. He has got that little bit of magic and can do things with a football that not every Everton player can.
“He can play in the wide areas of the pitch where he can run at people, he can play off the frontman and if you get him in the middle of the pitch in real dangerous areas he can cause problems.
“I think it will be interesting to see what area of the pitch Roberto plays him in.”
As well as Mirallas, Gray is also predicting Everton’s fellow attack-minded midfielders to thrive, should Martinez adopt the ‘patient’ style that he became synonymous with his reins at Swansea and Wigan.
“It will be interesting to see if he tries to make Everton different but I do think he will give the others a licence to pass the ball about,” added the 57-year-old Glaswegian.
“I think we may see Everton become a little more patient this year and look to keep the ball for a bit longer than they used to.”
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