"Special Partnership"

Roberto Martinez has praised the “special partnership” of Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines.

Martinez: “You get special partnerships in football. Leighton and Stevie have developed that over the years so it is important”

“They can also link up with other players.

“Look at the stats. Last season they were probably the most successful partnership in the league and you need that at full flow.

“It’s good to have them playing together.

“If you are a full-back and you have a good understanding you know when and when not to go because you know what he is going to do.

“When you play with other players trying to develop a partnership it can bring doubts.

“Leighton and Steven have as good a chemistry as you’re going to find in football.

“I can imagine when Stevie is on the pitch, Leighton knows when to go and that extra second make all the difference to defences.

“Stevie gave us that freedom.”

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