Not many managers have a winning record against Jose Mourinho – but Roberto Martinez has made that his aim.
However, the Blues boss isn’t bothered by the personal praise getting one over on the current Chelsea boss would draw.
Instead, he’s solely focused on getting Everton’s Premier League campaign up and running after three successive draws, describing this weekend’s fixture as a “fresh start” for his side following the closure of the transfer window.
Having never faced off against Mourinho as a manager, Martinez has the chance to thwart the self-proclaimed ‘special one’.
And the Spaniard said: “He’s one of the best managers in world football and there’s no denying that. Our league wants them and it’s good for everyone to have the best at each job.
“I think whoever plays against Chelsea this season is going to have a real test, but in the same manner we feel it is a fresh start for us.
“The moment the transfer window closed it felt like a completely different environment at the football club. I think there’s a real focus and it seems somehow that the season starts now.
“We want that pressure [of getting the first league win of the season]. I think every time we play at home, you know Goodison is a terrific place to play our football and we want that to continue.
“We want it to be a very difficult place for teams to come and we want to make sure we get a lot of points at home.”
Martinez believes Chelsea will be strong favourites for the Premier League title this season but pointed to his own team’s performances as a source of optimism ahead of the Goodison Park clash.
He continued: “Looking at where we are, I think we have done many good things in the past three games. But there’s no hiding from the fact that we need points.
“Whenever you play at home you take that as a real opportunity and, playing against Chelsea, we know they are a terrific team and they’ve got a real mature way of playing, with good experience. We are playing at home and we want to accept the responsibility that we need to get points and get our season started.
“It will take a lot to beat Chelsea this season. Already they are unbeaten and they’ve visited Old Trafford as well as playing in the European Super Cup.
“I think you look at the experience and the amount of talent they have and you would do really well to beat Chelsea this season.”