Kevin Ratcliffe has backed Leighton Baines following his comments about a lack of chemistry in the Everton squad.
England international Baines ‘apologised’ to Roberto Martinez for his remarks in the wake of last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United last weekend, which the Blues manager claims were taken out of context.
But Everton legend Ratcliffe, who was captain during the most successful period in Goodison Park’s history, has launched an impassioned defence of the defender’s comments.
“I don’t think Leighton Baines should have had to apologise for his comments about Everton lacking chemistry at the moment,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“It seems to me that Leighton has had to say sorry for simply telling the truth. You can’t help but agree with Baines anyway. The chemistry is obviously not right in some sort of way.”
Ratcliffe went on to question why Martinez refused to make Romelu Lukaku also apologise for his own recent comments, with the want-away striker publicly expressing his desire to leave Everton in pursuit of Champions League football.
He added: “I wonder whether Romelu Lukaku has apologised for what he said on international duty when he spoke about wanting to play in the Champions League next season?”
“When top players like Lukaku speak out about moving away it doesn’t help the overall mood at the club. I’m not blaming Lukaku either though. He is an ambitious player and wants to test himself
“But if Baines had to apologise then it’s double standards if the striker wasn’t also made to explain himself. He certainly wasn’t made an example of in public.”