Everton’s John Heitinga has this week spoken to Voetbal International about the changes at Everton over the summer and the new regime since Roberto Martinez took over from David Moyes. The former Wigan Athletic manager has got off to a good start and results have gone the right way so far, apart from the Capital One Cup, so fans are more than content with how things are going.
Heitinga acknowledges that Moyes leaving the club was a big event and explained that he’d built up something to compare to what Ferguson had done at Old Trafford “It has been a big change. Especially for employees who have worked for eleven years under David Moyes.
“Moyes created a lot at Everton, on a smaller scale it may be a bit similar to what Ferguson had done at Manchester United. The first team now has a completely new coaching staff and many new players.”
Heitinga is happy with the changes and the new direction the club is taking both during games and in training. Everything is more based on playing the ball rather than physical work and the defender is enjoying the difference “During training we do everything with the ball, much is being done with playmaking. Martinez’s Spanish influences are seen immediately. He is a fan of the way Barcelona play and the Dutch School. He tries to unite. The combination football that Everton are now playing, I think it’s a pleasant change.”
The Dutchman also compared the style to what he was brought up with at Ajax and says the only problem is that he’s not getting to experience it during games much, mainly training. Heitinga acknowledges the competition ahead of him and certainly isn’t having a pop at Martinez, he’d just like to be more involved. Heitinga explains that last season he wasn’t first choice at the start but went on to make 26 competitive appearances for the club, he says Martinez has been very clear with him and that’s all he can ask for.