What Can Everton Realistically Expect from Christian Atsu in 2014/15 Season?

There was much excitement when Christian Atsu initially signed for Everton this summer. Since then, however, the optimism has faded somewhat as the Chelsea man has struggled to assert himself within Roberto Martinez’s plans.

In this feature, we look at what the Toffees can realistically expect from Atsu over the rest of the 2014/15 season.

First of all, I would argue that Everton were right to be delighted with their recruitment of the Ghana international.

The player is an exceptional talent.

He is a fleet-footed forward who possesses both the crossing ability to play as an out-and-out winger and the incision and finishing qualities to operate as a wider forward. He may be small, but he possesses ample upper-body strength and a low centre of gravity to avoid being outmuscled by opposition defenders.

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The left-footer is also rightly praised for his dribbling ability.

Atsu’s agility, allied to his raw pace, mean that he can often be a torturous presence for opposition full-backs. There is certainly some refinement needed here—particularly when it comes to passing—but Atsu possesses the qualities to be a potent presence for an EPL offensive line.

What he also offers is that x-factor that can separate great teams from good teams.

Particularly following injury to Ross Barkley, the Merseysiders need a player who possesses something special and can change a contest in the blink of an eye. Atsu, nicknamed the “Ghanaian Messi,” is certainly capable of this, even though he’s demonstrated it in Portugal and the Netherlands rather than England.

A second reason for optimism is Roberto Martinez’s fine record of developing young, on-loan players. Last year he procured ferocity and consistency from Romelu Lukaku’s game and also helped the progression of Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu.

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Deulofeu, like Atsu, was charged with adding another dimension to Everton’s attack—of adding more directness, movement and pace. Atsu, who already has World Cup, Cup of Nations and Champions League experience under his belt, is a more rounded player than Deulofeu and should comfortably be able to surpass the Spaniard’s contribution last term.

So far, however, he hasn’t brought all that much to the side, and doesn’t—yet—appear to have Martinez’s full confidence.

To date, he has started only one Premier League game for Everton, playing an hour in the home defeat to Crystal Palace. He played the full 90 minutes in the league cup against Swansea City and featured for the first half against Kuban Krasnodar in the Europa League.

He also made the briefest of cameos against Arsenal in the EPL, but was impotent as the Toffees threw away a 2-0 lead.

It has been an ignominious start to life at Goodison Park.

Everton fans should sit tight and have confidence that Atsu can come good.

It’s important to remember that despite having accomplished a great deal in football, he is still only 22. Similarly, this season represents his first true foray into the Premier Leauge; despite signing for Chelsea over a year ago, he spent last season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.

It is natural that Atsu needs time to acclimatise to both a new club and new teammates, not to mention a whole new league.

One suspects he has the quality to do it. The former FC Porto star has both the quality and the confidence to become a crucial part of Martinez’s plans.

A chief strength is his versatility. Primarily a wide man, Atsu can thrive on either side of the pitch. He has also performed either as a central midfielder or a support striker and offers Martinez a valuable option on the bench.

As he adapts to the EPL and perhaps begins making a few telling contributions as a substitute, he may start receiving more regular starts.

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Everton’s schedule should also give him the opportunity to impress. The Blues have a tough Europa League draw but currently sit top of Group H and will be confident of beating LOSC Lille, Wolfsburg and Kuban Krasnodar to the knockout stages.

One suspects the Blues have at least eight games ahead of them in this competition and Atsu will doubtless get his opportunity. The FA Cup and the ageing legs of some of the Blues’ key midfield stalwarts ought also to ensure that Atsu gets his opportunity.

Upon his arrival at FC Porto, Atsu initially struggled. It took him six months or so to adapt to a new culture, a new language and a new league.

Having earned the faith of the club’s hierarchy and then-manager Andre Villas-Boas, however, he was rewarded with a long-term deal and won the club’s Young Player of the Year award in 2011.

Atsu may have started slowly on Merseyside, but he has the quality, the pedigree and the environment to thrive. It’s just a matter of time before the opportunity presents itself.