When Roberto Martinez was Everton manager, the Toffees achieved one of their highest Premier League placements ever, and the Spaniard has said one of his players was the best in his position.
During his first reign at Everton, David Moyes brought the club to a fourth-place finish, a feat that has yet to be beaten in the Premier League.
However, Martinez did run that accolade close, and in 2013/2014, the Blues finished in fifth place.
It was a fantastic season for the club. The Spanish manager was only in his first year at Goodison, and after losing such a figure like Moyes, who left for Manchester United, it was unexpected.
The squad that year featured some excellent players, such as Romelu Lukaku and Leighton Baines.
However, Roberto Martinez believes another star was exceptional and was the best player in his position.
Everton's manager Roberto Martinez looks on ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Roberto Martinez says Seamus Coleman was the best right-back in England in 2013/2014
Roberto Martinez is set to be reunited with Seamus Coleman when Ireland travel to face Portugal on Saturday evening.
The former Everton boss is currently manager of the Portuguese national team, and with Coleman called back into the Ireland squad, the pair will face each other.
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Martinez managed the Irishman throughout the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016 seasons and has now heaped huge praise on the player.
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s game against the Republic of Ireland, Martinez said via the42, “With Seamus, I could speak for hours. He was, in that season, 2013/2014, the best right-back in the Premier League by a mile.
“He has an incredible capacity to arrive in the final third: to defend one v. one. That leadership made him captain material from the very first day.
“Really demanding, and I am very proud to see his career and to see him still at Everton, still an important part of a club in the Premier League, and being an important player in the national camp. I am really looking forward to seeing him.”
While Martinez’s time at the club ended after just three seasons, the former Toffees manager has just one regret from his time.
Seamus Coleman’s Everton statistics in 2013/2014
Martinez’s comment is not overblown. Coleman was one of the best performers in the Premier League in 2013/2014.
The Irishman scored a remarkable six goals from full-back and also got two assists in 36 appearances.
He was just one goal short of being the highest-scoring defender that season, with only Martin Skrtel scoring more (7).
Aside from that season, he has scored some unbelievable goals for the club over the years.
Coleman has been an incredible servant for Everton, and that season will go down in history as one of his best ever.
Even to this day, David Moyes has described Coleman as a ‘monster’ due to his important role within the squad.