Byà Ed Dove,
There was much excitementà when Christianà Atsuà initially signed forà Evertonà this summer. Since then, however, the optimism has faded somewhat as theà Chelseaà man has struggled to assert himself withinà Roberto Martinezââ¬â¢s plans.
In this feature, we look at what the Toffees can realistically expect fromAtsuà over the rest of the 2014/15 season.
First of all, I would argue thatà Evertonà were right to be delighted with their recruitment of the Ghana international.
The player is an exceptional talent.
He is a fleet-footed forward who possesses both the crossing ability to play as an out-and-out winger and the incision and finishing qualities to operate as a wider forward. He may be small, but he possesses ample upper-body strength and a low centre of gravity to avoid beingà outmuscledà by opposition defenders.
The left-footer is also rightly praised for his dribbling ability.
Atsuââ¬â¢s agility, allied to his raw pace, mean that he can often be a torturous presence for opposition full-backs. There is certainly some refinement needed hereâ⬔particularly when it comes to passingâ⬔butà Atsuà possesses the qualities to be a potent presence for an EPL offensive line.
What he also offers is that x-factor that can separate great teams from good teams.
Particularly following injury to Ross Barkley, theà Merseysidersà need a player who possesses something special and can change a contest in the blink of an eye.à Atsu, nicknamed the ââ¬ÅGhanaianà Messi,â⬠is certainly capable of this, even though heââ¬â¢s demonstrated it in Portugal and the Netherlands rather than England.
A second reason for optimism is Roberto Martinezââ¬â¢s fine record of developing young, on-loan players. Last year he procured ferocity and consistency fromà Romeluà Lukakuââ¬â¢s game and also helped the progression of Barcelona winger Gerardà Deulofeu.
Deulofeu, likeà Atsu, was charged with adding another dimension to Evertonââ¬â¢s attackâ⬔of adding more directness, movement and pace.Atsu, who already has World Cup, Cup of Nations and Champions League experience under his belt, is a more rounded player thanDeulofeuà and should comfortably be able to surpass the Spaniardââ¬â¢s contribution last term.
So far, however, heà hasnââ¬â¢t brought all that much to the side, andà doesnââ¬â¢tâ⬔yetâ⬔appear to have Martinezââ¬â¢s full confidence.
To date, he has started only one Premier League game forà Everton, playing an hour in the home defeat toà Crystal Palace. He played the full 90 minutes in the league cup againstà Swansea Cityà and featured for the first half againstà Kubanà Krasnodar in the Europa League.
He also made the briefest of cameos againstà Arsenalà in the EPL, but was impotent as the Toffees threw away a 2-0 lead.
It has been an ignominious start to life atGoodisonà Park.
Evertonà fans should sit tight and have confidence thatà Atsuà can come good.
Itââ¬â¢s important to remember that despite having accomplished a great deal in football, he is still only 22. Similarly, this season represents his first true foray into the Premierà Leauge; despite signing for Chelsea over a year ago, he spent last season on loan atà Vitesseà Arnhemà in the Netherlands.
It is natural thatà Atsuà needs time to acclimatise to both a new club and new teammates, not to mention a whole new league.
One suspects he has the quality to do it. The formerà FC Portoà star has both the quality and the confidence to become a crucial part of Martinezââ¬â¢s plans.
A chief strength is his versatility. Primarily aà wide man,à Atsuà can thrive on either side of the pitch. He has also performed either as a central midfielder or a support striker and offers Martinez a valuable option on the bench.
As he adapts to the EPL and perhaps begins making a few telling contributions as a substitute, he may start receiving more regular starts.
Evertonââ¬â¢s schedule should also give him the opportunity to impress. The Blues have a tough Europa League draw but currently sit top of Group H and will be confident of beatingà LOSCà Lille,à Wolfsburgà andà KubanKrasnodar to the knockout stages.
One suspects the Blues have at least eight games ahead of them in this competition andà Atsuà will doubtless get his opportunity. The FA Cup and the ageing legs of some of the Bluesââ¬â¢ key midfield stalwarts ought also to ensure thatà Atsuà gets his opportunity.
Upon his arrival at FC Porto,à Atsuà initially struggled. It took him six months or so to adapt to a new culture, a new language and a new league.
Having earned the faith of the clubââ¬â¢s hierarchy and then-manager Andre Villas-Boas, however, he was rewarded with a long-term deal and won the clubââ¬â¢s Young Player of the Year award in 2011.
Atsuà may have started slowly onà Merseyside, but he has the quality, the pedigree and the environment to thrive. Itââ¬â¢s just a matter of time before the opportunity presents itself.