Everton 4 QPR 0: Roberto Martinez doesn’t want to sell Nikica Jelavic
Everton 4 QPR 0: Roberto Martinez insists he doesn't want to sell Nikica Jelavic after the striker's brace in the FA Cup third round
Roberto Martinez reiterated that he doesn’t want to sell Nikica Jelavic after the Croatian helped Everton secure an emphatic win against Queens Park Rangers.
The 28-year-old, who has been limited to nine Premier League appearances this term, scored either side of half-time after Ross Barkley had broken the deadlock in the 35th minute.
I don’t want to sell Jela, but I understand it’s a key moment for him
Roberto Martinez
QPR, currently in fourth place in the Championship, failed to trouble the Toffees and Seamus Coleman scored his fourth goal in eight games in 76th minute after Jelavic had missed a spot-kick.
The Toffees forward has been heavily linked with a loan move to the west London side in January in order to boost his chances of representing Croatia at the World Cup, and Martinez admitted he wouldn’t prevent a potential move.
“I thought Nikica’s performance was very good. He is frustrated he didn’t get the hat-trick and he deserved to,” Martinez said.
He added: “I don’t want to sell Jela, but I understand it’s a key moment for him. If the WC wasn’t this summer, this wouldn’t be discussed.”
On Jelavic’s chipped penalty attempt, the Everton boss continued: “He hadn’t done that in training before. He executes penalties very well, but the chip showed confidence.”
