Struggling Atsu will be ‘special player’ – Martinez

Everton Manager Roberto Martinez insists Christian Atsu will develop into a ‘special player’ despite his struggles at the club which is more likely to have his loan spell not extended.

The 23-year-old has been limited to only 13 appearances for the Toffees since arriving on loan from Chelsea at the beginning of the season.

Injury and inconsistent form has had the better of the talented winger who emerged the Best Player at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations where he was influential in Ghana’s silver-medal winning squad.

Atsu’s stay at Goodison Park is unlikely to be extended – putting his future up in the air once more again with Chelsea not looking ready to hand the youngster the regular playing opportunity he needs.

But manager Roberto Martinez has no doubt that the Ghana international will eventually come good.

“Christian is a very, very talented young man,” Martinez said.

“You always get that uncertainty when you are coming from a foreign league.

“Adapting to the Premier League will always take a period; sometimes more, sometimes less.

“But Christian will become a very special footballer.

“He has all the attributes and showed it in flashes at Porto, when he played consistently at Vitesse, when he was named Player of the Tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana – Christian is very talented.

“For one reason or another, we haven’t been able to give him that continuity that you need. But his attitude is terrific and I hope in the last two games, I hope he can finish the season strong with us because his playing time hasn’t been as big as we expected.

“But I’m sure the experience will benefit him immensely.”