Roberto Martinez insists he has no issue with Kevin Mirallas despite talk of Everton exit

The winger has spoken of his desire to move to a Champions League club, but his manager has played down talk of a rift

We don't need to talk about Kevin: Martinez says there is no issue with the winger

Roberto Martinez insists he has no problems with Kevin Mirallas, despite claims the winger undermined Everton’s derby build-up.

The Belgium international upset Blues fans when he spoke out about his future on the eve of the showdown with Liverpool.

With Everton dangling just above the relegation zone and desperate for unity, Mirallas told a newspaper in his homeland he wanted to play in the Champions League, with Spain his preferred destination.

But after substituting the forward early in the derby after an ineffective performance, Martinez defended his player.

Reuters

Oops: Mirallas annoyed fans by taking – and missing – a penalty against Wets Brom

The Everton boss said: “I have got nothing to say. I have never had a conversation with Kevin where he has told me he is not happy. He wants to play, he wants to score goals, nothing unusual. I don’t see where the issue is.

“I haven’t got an issue so long as the player is not disrespectful to his team. As long as the player gives everything in training, in games, I haven’t got an issue.

“It seems we want to pick on Kevin Mirallas because he missed a penalty against West Brom. Now because he says he wants to leave, we are picking on him.”