Baines: There is competition for every single place at Everton
Leighton Baines has praised the squad that has been built at Everton and now says it is hard to predict the team due to the strength in depth that is starting to be built.
Baines is also looking forward to playing alongside Steven Pienaar again now that the South African midfielder is back to full fitness following a lengthy spell on the sideline last season.
“I always enjoy playing with Steven – I think anyone would,” Baines told evertontv. “He’s always where you need him to be at the moment you need him to be there.
“You can always trust him in any situation, I think he plays on instinct and you can always feel like you know what he’s going to do next.
“It’s always easier when you have got that relationship with someone, but we have got a squad where it will change each game this season. We will all come in and out at different times in a lot of games.
“There is competition for every single place, so it will never be as predictable as it may have been a few years ago in that respect and I think that’s healthy for the squad.”
Baines is also excited by the addition of Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu from Chelsea and he believes the on-loan flyer will prove to be a good member of the squad.
He added: “We have only done a couple of sessions, but he looks sharp and a good addition to the squad.
“Obviously the manager wanted to bring in a new player for that position and I think he was the one we seemed to be after for a little bit.
“It’s a good oppourtunity for him and I’m sure he’s motivated to do well in the Premier League and establish himself.”
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