---
title: "Martinez – Howard the best U.S player ever"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/martinez-howard-best-u-s-player-ever/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Rhodri Cannon"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2015-11-15T12:17:40Z"
modified: "2015-11-15T12:17:40Z"
---

# Martinez – Howard the best U.S player ever

Roberto Martinez has again praised the much-maligned Tim Howard, saying he is the best U.S football player of all time.

Martinez has backed the former Manchester United man to the hilt during his reign at Goodison, and had nothing but nice things to say about the 36-year-old when speaking at BlazerCon in New York.

https://twitter.com/JasonLeMiere/status/665571385838837760

The Catalonian also talked about John Stones and called him one of the best central defenders in Europe.

When the 21-year-old handed in a transfer request Martinez felt he was unsellable and they couldn’t sell at any price as they couldn’t give in to the will of the player.

![Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2015/11/4946867661.jpg)

Stones, Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku all benefitted from the Europa League last season, according to Martinez, who believes Everton will peak at the end of January.

The most interesting thing Martinez said at the session was his ambitions for Everton this season.

The target is to break into the Champion League, and that the next 12 games will be crucial to their hopes of achieving their goal.

https://twitter.com/JasonLeMiere/status/665573196234649600

Can the Blues break into the top four this season?