Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013
If Everton needed any more assurances that Leighton Baines was not packing off to Manchester United, then Roberto Martinez has given that by labelling the player as "the best left-back" in England.
With David Moyes having moved to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, many were predicting a similar transfer for Baines who has spent all his Everton career under the Scotsman.
The man who possesses several individual awards from his club, however, has already given hints of his continued stay at Merseyside, by saying he is looking forward to working under Martinez.
And the former Wigan boss has added to the chorus of mutual respect, telling Everton’s official site: "I think Leighton is more than a player, he is an icon.
relatedNewsStory
"He represents a lot about our football club and I am really, really excited about Leighton."
Baines joined the Toffees in 2007 from Wigan – though this was before Martinez had taken over – and has been a busy defender at Goodison Park by notching up 246 appearances, with even 22 goals thrown in.
His displays earned him a spot in England’s Euro 2012 squad, though he did not make the starting eleven in any of their four games in Poland and the Ukraine.
However, Martinez still rates the 28-year-old highly-enough, adding: "I can’t wait to start working with him. This is a big season for him and for us as a club.
"When you are the left-back of this football club, and given the level that he has been reaching over the last few years consistently, it shows me that he is the best left-back in the country."
Like betting on football? You simply must check out Inside Bet!
