Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell has backed Roberto Martinez to find immediate success at Goodison Park as the Wigan boss nears a move to the Merseyside club.
GettyImagesCampbell believes Martinez can steer Everton into the Champions League
• Everton allowed to sign Wigan players
Latics chairman Dave Whelan revealed on Monday that Wigan and Everton have already agreed a compensation deal for Martinez and it seems a matter of time before the Spaniard is unveiled as David Moyes’ successor.
As negotiations continue, Campbell, who played almost 150 games during a six year stint with the Toffees, supported the candidacy of Martinez.
“It will be fascinating. I think he’ll be a breath of fresh air,” he said. “The way he plays the game, the fans are going to like the style, and I think the players are going to improve, and that’s really important.
“There will be a bit more attacking play. The players have done really well defensively and it won’t harm the team to be a bit more expansive going forward.
“The restrictions will be removed from some of the players. Everton have wonderfully gifted players and I think he will give them a new lease of life. It would be nice to see the team score more goals.
“The new manager can give them new ideas and I see it being a massive plus for Everton.”
Everton finished in the top four just once during Moyes’ 11-year tenure and Campbell believes Martinez is the man to deliver Champions League football.
“Everton have to be looking at a Champions League spot,” he told talkSPORT. “Under Moyes they broke the monopoly and got in there, and over the years they’ve proved they can beat the top sides.
“Under Martinez they can be a bit more expansive and score more goals and that will make them even more dangerous. Being tough to beat is ingrained in them, but scoring more goals could make a massive difference.”
