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Roberto Martinez believes the Spain under-21s captaincy has come “at the right time” for in-form Gerard Deulofeu.

The Everton winger scored five times during the international break as his country won back-to-back Euro 2017 qualifiers against Georgia and Croatia.

Deulofeu hit a hat-trick on Thursday against Georgia and then bagged a brace in Rijeka last night to help seal a 3-2 win over Croatia.

Spain are top of their qualifying group after winning four and drawing one of their opening five games and Martinez believes the Blues flyer is relishing his role as skipper.

“The captaincy has arrived at the right time,” Martinez told the ECHO.

“There are moments when you are captain or need to lead a team, you need to be open to it and show that you can care about others.

“Gerard is a young man and has been through a lot, especially last season, and he is very aware of others.

“Away from the Spain camp, we have seen that here at Everton, a young man with incredible talent who has always been committed to being the best he can be.

“But he also works to be essential to the team and he works as hard as he can to give what the team requires.

“He is really enjoying being on the football pitch and here he is developing relationships around him with Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman. He loves being on the football pitch.

“Being captain of that young generation is a big role in his country but he has done it in fantastic fashion.

“What is even more remarkable is that there has not been a drop in his standards.”

Deulofeu has been in sparkling form for Everton of late, scoring in the thrashing of Sunderland as well as clocking up his fifth league assist of the season in the draw with West Ham United.

And now his scoring exploits with Spain u-21s have led to calls for him to be called up to the senior national side.

Martinez says Deulofeu can deal with the attention.

“Gerard was born with debate around him,” Martinez says.

“When you make your debut against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu at the age of 16 and with his talent, he is going to bring that debate from the whole footballing country.

“But he is used to it. It doesn’t bother him.”