Sunday 5 April 2015 09:51, UK
Everton boss Roberto Martinez insists he is not concerned about Romelu Lukaku’s new intermediary, Mino Raiola, casting doubt over his future at the club.
Having added the Belgium striker to a client list already including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli, Raiola said Lukaku would not have signed for Everton had he been responsible for the player sooner.
After Lukaku missed Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Southampton through injury, Martinez was bullish about the forward's position at the club.
"Mino Raiola is an agent that has worked just a short period of time with a new client," he said. "For whatever reason, he needs to make those comments.
"I am sure every agent will have some sort of comments about his clients. I am not going to get involved talking about an agent."
Lukaku signed for Everton from Chelsea in a £28m deal last July and has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season.
Martinez added: "From my point of view, Romelu is one of the most important signings we have ever made – one that shows the commitment and the investment we have made.
"For me there is not an issue. He has an incredible talent and, at 21, he has a long-term contract. I always speak with Rom and all the players about those situations. Rom made the decision of changing his agent. He is entitled to do that. It is a personal decision.
"But he is a very important player for us. As a football club we showed an incredible respect and integrity in the way we conducted our decisions about him and his career and we will carry on doing that.”
