Everton defender plays in behind-closed-doors friendly despite 23-month absence
Cuco Martina played in Everton’s behind-closed-doors inter-squad friendly with a majority of first-team players on Tuesday despite being told he has no future at the club. The 30-year-old’s last appearance came in Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley (March 3, 2018), but he’s still in and around the senior side.
The Curacao international took part in a 60-minute game at USM Finch Farm with an official referee and Carlo Ancelotti watching closely. Whether the Everton manager was paying much attention to Martina’s performance remains to be seen, however.
He’s made the matchday squad only twice this season – unused substitute in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United (December 15, 2019) and EFL Cup defeat to Leicester City (December 18). Martina has turned out for the u23s due to his inability to get minutes in the first-team.
Everton failed to sell him last summer due to a training ground injury and failed again in January due to a lack of interest. Martina will be a free transfer in a matter of months, so it makes sense for suitors to wait until his contract expires.