Everton manager Roberto Martinez and captain Phil Jagielka took part in a press conference ahead of Wednesday's opening game of the Barclays Asia Trophy against Stoke City, and spoke about their expectations for the game and season ahead.

Playing in different conditions could affect both teams

Martinez spoke about the conditions and how they could impact the game. Martinez said: “It will be interesting how we adapt to the conditions, both teams. As you can imagine, the humidity and the heat is something quite different to what we are used to back in our league.

So it will be interesting to see how we cope in different conditions against a team we know so well.

Teams can struggle playing in different conditions than they’re accustomed to and with temperatures expected to reach 29 degrees with 75% humidity, both sides will be hoping that their training in the days beforehand will help them acclimatise quickly.

There’s a trophy on the line and this game will be serious

Both sides are expecting to be competing in the higher reaches of the table this season, battling for those European places and Martinez knows that playing Stoke won’t be the typical pre-season friendly. He was saying “Pre-season is not about winning” but this time, there is a trophy on the line and as Martinez says “it brings extra excitement” to the game. 

Martinez respects what Stoke achieved last season, saying it was “no accident” that they finished in their best Premier League position yet - finishing in ninth place. 

Everton had a poor season and are hoping to change that this season

Everton captain Phil Jagielka was also speaking to the press, and he accepted that what happened to Everton last season is not acceptable. Jagielka said: “We have really high standards here but we let ourselves down last season.

The Europa League campaign was used as an excuse regularly last season, but Jagielka admitted that he wants to be in the competition. 

Jagielka said: "A lot of people blame the Europa League but if you ask me where I want to finish this season, then my answer would be in a European qualifying position. I want to be get back in there sooner rather than later.”

Everton are without Muhammed Besic after he sustained an injury during the Swindon Town friendly. Ryan Ledson has been drafted in as his replacement. Stoke City are without defensive duo Ryan Shawcross and Philipp Wollscheid. 

Everton take on Stoke City at 11:00 (GMT) on Wednesday morning.

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About the author
Connor Bennett
Everton editor for VAVEL UK - contributing since 2015. Premier League accredited journalist. Journalism graduate from Liverpool. Writing about Football, eSports and the NFL. Email: [email protected] | Twitter: ConnorBennett14