Roberto Martinez is delighted that Everton finished the transfer window stronger than they started it
And with youngsters Ross Barkley and John Stones emerging through the ranks, Martinez is confident his charges can cope with the present while looking to the future.
“I do feel when you lose a player, you need to end up with a better shape in the squad,” said the Spaniard.
“And I feel that is something we have achieved.
“The squad has ended up being stronger and the club in a very good position.
“We just had to make sure we finished the transfer window in a stronger position than we were when it started. We have worked hard behind the scenes to do that.
“Sometimes if you want to bring players in, you need to allow players to go out. It’s about getting that balance right.
“We have the perfect blend with the youth as well. It allows us to start working for the future with the youngsters we have but at the same time we want to be as competitive as we can be this season.”
The progress of Stones and Barkley in particular has been the source of particular pride, with Everton continuing their policy of giving youngsters a chance in the first-team.
It comes at a time when debate is raging over the future of the English game given the seemingly inexorable rise in the number of foreigners plying their trade in the Premier League.
And Martinez has called on the Football Association to show leadership and plot a path that can help encourage young English talent.
“We all want to develop as much homegrown talent as we can,” added the Everton manager.
“We all want the same. But it’s important the instructions come from the top, come from the FA.
“It’s not something that is going to happen overnight.
“It’s about following a programme. You need the right direction with everybody working in the same way. We have to make sure we are as good as we can be in whatever direction the English game wants to go. “Once you get the direction, that makes it easier.”