Everton has successfully used the loan system to help the club have such a successful season.

Roberto Martinez has brought in Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu and Gareth Barry on season-long loan deals last year.

Everton sits fifth in the table one point behind Arsenal, but have an extra game in hand.

"People will go against it, it has its pros and cons," said Martinez. "From our point of view the loan system is vital but to criticize it is ridiculous. It would be like criticizing us for giving youngsters opportunities.

"Sometimes young players get attracted to the glamour of a young club but you need to be realistic.

"It can be very, very difficult for a young player to have an opportunity in the first team.

"You could find many examples of players who have been treated unfairly just because they are not part of the long term future of the club."