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ROBERTO MARTINEZ is adamant his desire to tweak Everton’s style will not come at the cost of the qualities that have transformed them into top-six contenders.

Martinez’s intention to encourage a more patient, passing style to the Goodison outfit was evident during the 3-1 friendly victory at Blackburn Rovers

on Saturday.

Under previous manager David Moyes, Everton were renowned for their ability to switch between various approaches and produce a high-octane pressing game that unsettled more esteemed opponents and last season challenged for Champions League qualification.

Martinez, though, has reassured supporters the team will lose none of their famed tenacity and believes the Goodison faithful will accept the shift in tactics.

“I think you need to have wider options and I think the squad is ready to be pushed and to be in a position where we can be flexible and do different things,” said the Spaniard.

“We have real quality players, with real experience, and when have that you can open up the door a little bit more in terms of being able to play the game in different ways.

“That is really needed in the modern game because every single game in the league and in the cup is different.

“I know Goodison Park is an incredible place to play fast, forward-thinking football and we are going to do that.

“But, at times, we will need to have another approach, another dimension and the fans will understand it.

“It is not changing everything in the way we play. We are not losing anything, but trying to add.”

Everton began Saturday’s game with a flat back four before switching to a formation that saw young John Stones join Sylvain Distin at centre-back while John Heitinga operated ahead of them in a three-man defence.

“I don’t want to be a team that can only play in one way and to do that you need to experiment and try things in pre-season,” said Martinez.

“This is about making ourselves a bit more expansive in terms of how we play and that is going to be a real strength for us.

“I want the players to be flexible and take on many different systems. You can see that certain players are suited to certain systems and I think it is about picking the right time and moment to use those players in those systems.”

Everton are in the United States preparing for the first of three games in the International Champions Cup against Juventus in San Francisco tomorrow night.

New signing Antolin Alcaraz, signed on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic, did not travel with the 24-man party after missing the win at Blackburn through injury.

Alcaraz will join Distin, Heitinga and young Shane Duffy in fighting for a place in the heart of defence alongside Phil Jagielka, although Distin has no problem with the Paraguayan’s arrival.

“I always welcome competition,” he said. “I’ve always said that if you don’t want competition, then you may as well stop playing football. Personally I feel the more competition there is, the better it is.

“It’s a bigger squad. So far we haven’t lost any players and have got three or four good quality players in. We have always had a small squad but now we are starting to look more like a normal team now.

“We have a competition for places now and we do not need any new players.”

Nevertheless, with doubts still concerning the futures of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, Martinez may be forced to dip into the transfer market again.

Manchester United’s former Everton manager David Moyes could look to be reunited with Fellaini – who would cost £23.5m this summer due to a clause in his contract – as he grows frustrated in his attempts to sign Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.

As a consequence, Martinez is still monitoring any movement of his former Wigan midfielder James McCarthy should Fellaini need to be replaced.