Exiled for two years – Right-back returns to Everton first-team ahead of Liverpool clash
Cuco Martina made his long-awaited return to Everton’s first-team ahead of their meeting with Liverpool on June 21 and has a good chance of making the matchday squad if Djibril Sidibe misses out.
As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, Everton have until June 23 to make a decision on Sidibe’s loan deal, so Carlo Ancelotti might have to call upon Martina as backup if the 27-year-old ends up returning to AS Monaco.
Martina hasn’t made an appearance for Everton since March 2018 and hasn’t been in the matchday squad since May 2018, but the forgotten right-back has been pictured training with the first-team just two weeks before the Toffees’ Premier League return.
Sidibe’s situation needs resolving but Martina’s does too. The 30-year-old is soon-to-be out of contract and will be released on June 24 unless Everton extend his deal until the end of the revised season or offer him a new contract beyond 2020.
It’s unlikely Everton will retain Martina past this campaign, however, as he’s been on the periphery for two years. Recent reports suggest a short-term extension is possible though.
Jonjoe Kenny is still on loan at Schalke 04, so Ancelotti is limited on cover and forced to consider internal solutions.