Martinez: Baines is the best left-back in world football
Roberto Martinez has declared that Leighton Baines is as good a left-back as you can find in world football after the England man signed a new four year contract at the club.
The Everton boss was beaming after tieing down the player to a new long term deal and was delighted that it now offers security and a lack of distraction for the player.
Speaking to evertontv, the Spaniard said: “You’re talking in January about addressing your squad and being as strong as you can be. To have Leighton’s signature on this new contract, it means a lot.
“It gives you the security and the focus of a player that, in my eyes, is one of the best in the world and what it represents to the fans, what it represents to the Club, is quite unique.
“If you’re looking at the player, he’s in the best moment of his career, the best years are ahead of him and to have the security of having those years is an incredible boost to our project.
“He, in my eyes, is as good a left-back as you’re going to get in world football, he’s got a real maturity, a real know-how and he’s ready to take responsibilities in the team.
“This is a really, really significant moment for us.”
Martinez praised Baines character and said that he was always confident that he would sign a new contract rather than look for pastures new.
“I was confident because the signs were always positive and Leighton is not the sort of footballer who gets distracted by whatever comes his way,” he added. “He’s a deep thinker and he has very strong values.
“He wants to be the best he can be and, as you would imagine, he wants to participate in the best competitions in world football. But I do believe that he feels he can do that with Everton and that, for me, is an incredible gesture in the modern game.”
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