- Ecuadorian wonderkid all but confirmed as Newcastle player
- Versatile youngster with an exciting skill set
- Why development plan crucial
Newcastle United’s deal to sign 2009-born Johan Martinez from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle is all but confirmed. Martinez will join the club as soon as he turns 18, in two years’ time.
The move comes as part of the club’s new recruitment strategy. It is centred around signing the top young talents from around the world before the elite clubs can get their hands on them.
Martinez is emerging as a top talent in his native Ecuador and has turned heads across Europe, with Newcastle now set to beat off opposition for his signature.
Martinez’ Playing Style
The 16-year-old is rather versatile and has the ability to play anywhere across the frontline. Slotting into left wing, right wing, or centre forward are all comfortable for him at this stage of his development.
The Ecuadorian’s main strength comes in 1v1 situations, where the youngster shines with his magical feet.
Martinez’s ability to stand up his defender and use both his ball manipulation and devastating turn of pace make him a nightmare for defenders.
The Ecuadorian is exceptionally both-footed, to the point where it becomes difficult to tell which is his strong side.
This further aids his 1v1 ability, as his unpredictability in coming inside or going to the byline causes chaos.
Yet, even with all of those excellent qualities, perhaps the most endearing one that could position him as an Eddie Howe player is his ability to work hard in all phases of play.
The need to retain his flair
If Newcastle and Eddie Howe are to get the best out of Martinez when he joins the club, he can’t be overcoached.
As is the modern way, especially in England, players are often turned to tactical robots.
Take Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola removed everything that made him so special: beating a man and having that supreme confidence to take the game on. Now the current Everton man is a shell of his former self on the football pitch.
Howe has been known to struggle with players who have the raw technical ability to run a game on their own. The most potent example of which is Allan St Maximin.
The one thing that can’t happen with the new Ecuadorian wonderkid is not allowing him to express himself.
Caging him until he knows the tactical side like the back of his hand is only ever going to stunt his development. Preventing what makes him a maverick from shining through in the process.
Keep Shola away
Perhaps the most important thing Newcastle must ensure with Martinez is that Shola Ameobi is not allowed to decide his future alone. Ameobi’s track record of loaning out proposed prospects isn’t exactly unblemished.
The case of Garang Kuol is perhaps the most damning. A player who came with a big reputation as one of the best young talents from Australia. Kuol was sent to both Hearts and Volendam, where he barely played, before being sold to Sparta Prague last summer.
Currently, it appears Antonio Cordero is the next to meet a similar fate. The Spaniard was initially sent to Westerlo, where he played just eight times.
Now, with his confidence shot, he has been shipped back to Cadiz, Spain. He is once again struggling to get game time regularly.
When Martinez arrives, it is imperative that careful thought be given to exactly where the youngster will thrive. Otherwise, Newcastle once again risks a gem slipping through their fingers and development coming to a standstill.
