Roberto Martinez knows a few things about clever moves.
He’s a man of letters having taken the time during his playing days to study for degrees in physiotherapy and business management. Leading unfancied Wigan to FA Cup glory and Everton into Europe requires some serious football intellect too. With his canny communications and tactical skills, he’s also been able to manoeuvre his way into a couple of the most sought-after coaching gigs in world football.
And it was while managing the Belgian national side that Martinez - now Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal gaffer - first came across Nico Raskin. He saw in the Standard Liege kid a midfielder with the potential to be a star He wasn’t the only one, with the likes of Leeds, Napoli, Marseille and even Barcelona credited with an interested in the 22-year-old at various points.
