Roberto Martinez hails "raw talent" Callum McManaman

By Liam Power, Reporter | 14 May 2013

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez lauds the natural talent of English winger Callum McMananaman following his performance in their FA Cup final success.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has declared that Callum McManaman is a unique talent capable of playing at the highest level.

McManaman underlined his potential last weekend with a man-of-the-match performance at Wembley in Wigan's historic 1-0 success over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Martinez believes that the young winger possess a drive and enthusiasm to match his raw skills and needs to keep playing with that attitude to improve.

He told the Daily Mail: "Callum showed two big things in the FA Cup final. One, he is not fazed by the occasion. It doesn't matter to him whether he plays in a league game or an FA Cup final at Wembley or in the playground with his mates.

"The second one is that he has raw talent. You don't get many players like him who are not over-coached and he is not in a system where we feel we have to tell him how to do things. He has natural talent. Callum is lucky.

"He needs to play games in the Premier League. England? I'm convinced he will get that. Is it too early? That is for the manager to consider and look at the players he has. But Callum just needs to do what he has been doing. If he does that, he can really enjoy his football."

The 22-year-old is back in action this evening as Wigan bid to keep their relegation battle alive against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.