Robert Martinez says Everton's Gerard Deulofeu must adapt to Premier League
Sunday 25 October 2015 23:06, UK
Roberto Martinez says Gerard Deulofeu must adapt his game to the Premier League after his performance against Arsenal.
Deulofeu fell to the ground theatrically when he was challenged by Nacho Monreal towards the end of the first half in Arsenal's 2-1 success at the Emirates.
That earned the 21-year-old repeated boos from Arsenal supporters for the rest of the match after referee Lee Mason opted not to punish him for simulation.
But Martinez has defended Deulofeu and focused on the qualities he brings to the team.
Martinez said: "Gerard is a young man who has come into a very different game and he needs to understand the culture of the British game.
"But I love to see players who care and want to make things happen. He is an emotional player and I don't think he was disrespectful in any way.
"When they keep hitting you with every chance they get, sometimes you are going to feel the challenge comes your way and maybe you are going to go to ground that little bit easier.
"Maybe he has to learn that, but it is difficult as a striker or an attacking player to cope with the amount of bad treatment you get from defenders.
"Gerard has incredible talent, he worries defenders and you could see at the end they had three players around him. He carries that threat.
"He is a young player and he has a lot to learn but he has the desire and that winning mentality and it's only a matter of time before he puts that talent together."
Martinez, meanwhile, is waiting for word on how seriously injured Phil Jagielka is as he was hurt in a challenge with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
He added: "Phil is a fit man. Maybe that action in another player would have hurt more. It's his right knee, his toe gets twisted and that can affect the structure underneath. It could be a nasty one."
