Martinez admits out of contract players will wait until summer

While not surprising in the least it looks like Everton will hold off on any talks with players out of contract until the summer.

It's a group that includes many players that should be expected to move on at the end of the season. The group includes Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert, Darron Gibson, Steven Pienaar and Felipe Mattioni.

That group has made a total of 25 appearances this season and that might be seen as too many. Especially from Leon Osman who has played in 13 games this season and looked lost on several and his pace has slowed considerably. It would be a shock to me if anyone in this group is back next season for any length of contract.

Gibson and Pienaar have already made some interest known that they would like to look at other options this summer. On the other end Osman and Hibbert are long time members of the squad, but their reluctance to leave maybe met with a team unwilling to stay with older players with new found investment.

This comment from Martinez seems to be serving the interest of his players, but it's very unlikely any contracts announced now or this summer involve any of this group. More than likely all move on to other teams or possibly retire in some cases.