Phil Neville praises Josef Martinez despite quiet Inter Miami debut

Phil Neville has insisted ‘there’s more to come’ from Josef Martinez after his rather quiet Inter Miami debut.

The Venezuelan striker joined the Herons following an incredible six-year spell with Atlanta United where he became the club’s record goalscorer and most loved player among fans, winning MLS Cup, US Open Cup, and Campeones Cup titles along the way.

There’s much anticipation regarding what Martinez can bring to Inter Miami but in his first 68 minutes for the club in Saturday’s 2-0 win over CF Montreal, we didn’t really get to see his very best.

Martinez touched the ball just 14 times, completing only seven passes, attempting a single shot, and losing both of his ground duels.

However, Neville is appreciative that it’ll take time for Martinez to adjust to his new surroundings and still believes the 29-year-old offered plenty to his side in terms of movement and presence.

“There’s more to come,” Neville said of Martínez. “But I do think with his standard and his presence, he occupies defenders. He definitely occupies defenders because they know he’s playing on the shoulder. They know he’s a threat. Sometimes when Josef leaves the ball, sometimes without touching it, he actually makes us even more unpredictable. He brings players into the game.”

Martinez will get another chance to impress when Inter Miami host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 4.