Roberto Martinez praises Brendan Galloway's maturity at Everton
Friday 23 October 2015 12:07, UK
Roberto Martinez says there is nothing to stop Brendan Galloway from securing a regular first-team place at Everton.
The 19-year-old, who was signed from MK Dons last year, has featured in nine of the side's 11 matches this season in the absence of the injured Leighton Baines.
He has been outstanding on the left side of the back four and was rewarded for his fine start to the campaign with the club's player of the month award for September.
"Brendan keeps surprising everyone," said Everton boss Martinez. "His maturity is very impressive and I haven't seen him needing time to rest or a need to take him out of the team.
"You need to measure that week to week and allow football to make the decision. But there is no general rule saying that if someone is 19 and hasn't really played before, there is a certain number of games you have to give him.
"We have been very pleased with the way he has adapted to the demands and clearly we have someone quite special for the future."
Baines is expected to return to the Everton squad soon, having almost recovered from a long-term ankle injury sustained at the start of the season.
However, Martinez says the England international will not be guaranteed an immediate return to the first team, and must fight for his place alongside Galloway and Bryan Oviedo.
"At the moment Leighton is doing really well," he said. "Bryan Oviedo should be fully fit and with Leighton back very soon that gives us fantastic options, which is what you want, but Brendan has earned the right of being in the first-team squad and challenging for his position."
Everton are currently ninth in the Premier League and face a tough trip to Arsenal on Saturday.
Martinez has urged his players to continue the early season form which has seen them take points off Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Southampton.
"The start of the season has been as challenging as we expected, but really, really good," he said. "I think we have showed signs of a really interesting season ahead.
"But, now, the start of the season will mean nothing if we don't carry on with some consistency. I do feel this period until the next international break is a very important one for us."
