Everton manager Roberto Martinez doesn't rule out Tim Howard's departure in summer

Tim Howard in Everton vs. West Ham

The rumblings have been around for some time, but could Tim Howard's time with Everton be coming to an end?


Howard's club manager Roberto Martinez weighed in on the speculation, appearing to remain on the fence about the US national team goalkeeper's future at Everton.


"It is impossible to say that [Howard will leave]," Martinez said in a report by ESPN.com. "We need to take it game by game and week by week."


The article notes that Howard, while under contract to the Premier League side until 2018, has struggled at times this season and has received criticism from Everton fans.



Howard, who began his professional career in MLS with the MetroStars, has been the subject of speculation linking him to a return to the league at some point, although the player himself has previously downplayed that speculation, telling a radio program in February 2015 that he planned to finish his career at Everton.


He has been with the Merseyside club since 2007 and has been their No. 1 goalkeeper since arriving.