Lacina Traoré rejected West Ham in favour of more style at Everton
Everton's new loan signing Lacina Traoré rejected West Ham in favour of a move to Goodison Park as he preferred Roberto Martínez's style of play.
The Hammers were in pole position for the 6ft 8in Ivory Coast international after securing a work permit ahead of a move from Monaco. However, Everton came in with a late bid and having assessed both clubs' respective football and position in the Premier League Traoré opted for a move to Merseyside.
José Mourinho accused West Ham of playing "football from the 19th century" to nullify Chelsea during Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, citing their negative tactics and time wasting.
"It was quite close but Everton was my choice," said the striker. "I looked at the styles of play of the two teams we are talking about and the way in which Everton play is more of a passing side and the style of Everton suited my technical ability.
"Also I looked at where they were in the league and they [Everton] were quite well off for points in the league so I think with that sort of emphasis on skill and the passing game I am hoping I can settle in as quickly as possible with my style of play.
"There were other clubs interested in me at the beginning but I knew Everton had a good possibility of getting into European football next season. I am pleased I have made this choice and I am standing by my choice of this club."
Martínez insists despite Traoré's size he is much more than a target man. "He is a very hungry footballer which, at this stage of the season, is very important," said Martínez.
"His size will give you the wrong impression of the way he is as a footballer. He is technically very gifted, he has a real understanding of the space and combination play around him and is really quick with his penetrating runs, he is a real athlete.
"All those aspects make us a little bit different because we haven't got that sort of player with that presence and height. He is a footballer who is going to bring us a lot."
Traoré is still possibly a fortnight away from fitness after arriving with a hamstring injury but Martinez hopes he will be able to help fill the void left by Romelu Lukaku who has been ruled out for several weeks with an ankle problem sustained in Tuesday's Merseyside derby defeat.
"We were expecting the worst so we had good news in that respect as the structure of the ankle is fine and there is no ligament damage," he said the of the Belgium striker.
"The bone is badly bruised so now we need to see how he recovers over the next few days and then we will know the extent of the injury.
"It is a situation which will be resolved in a few weeks and Romelu will be back well before the final seven or eight games of the season."