Martinez Hails His Dutch Ace Bodde

After turning down a £500,000 + add ons bid from Derby County for Dutch ace Ferrie Bodde , Roberto Martinez has insisted that there could be more to come from the midfielder.

Signed from Ado Den Hagg just under a year ago for a fee believed to be around £85,000, the Delft born player has become a instant fans favourite and has been a pivotal part of the promotion push over the course of the season. It comes as no surprise that Bodde has become hot property in recent months and with a place in the PFA league one team of the season also under his belt, there is no denying there will be more interest in the midfield maestro.

In his first season in British football, Bodde made 34 appearances and has scored 8 goals in all competitions. Despite this high praise there have been low points for the former Ado Den Hagg man . Bodde's discipline record has been under close scrutiny after receiving two red cards, one after a head butt on Doncaster Rovers midfielder Brian Stock. The Dutchman also saw red after a 37th minute challenge on Leeds United's Jonathan Howson on 29th December.

Speculation surrounding Bodde's future has even led to calls from within the squad for midfield general to stay with the club. Diminutive midfielder Leon Britton spoke out in praise of his team mate and declared the quality that Bodde brings to a squad will be very hard to replace.

It is a sentiment that is shared by his manager Roberto Martinez who believes that he can play at the highest levels of the international game with The Netherlands. Already capped at U-23's level by his country the desire of the player to play at the highest echelons of the game is all to evident to see, and is something Martinez is at pains to point out.

Martinez Told the SWEP: