The prolific January transfer rumour mill says Samuel Eto’o is a wanted man.

Hopefully nowhere more so than at Everton FC .

The ambitious chairman of Sampdoria has been making noises about trying to lure Eto’o to Italy this week, but it is understood he is highly unlikely to be going anywhere.

Samuel Eto’o is still very much in Roberto Martinez's plans, we believe.

Eto’o has to be.

But just how and exactly where he fits into those plans is the question for Martinez right now.

The 33-year-old may be going through a lean spell – having not scored since the end of October – but he is too good to let go, even at this stage of his career.

And even in the context of a squad with its fair share of 30-somethings in the ranks, Eto’o is certainly an old-head worth having around.

But the dilemma for Martinez now is how to get the best out of him.

How to tap back into that class and how to find a way to get him to recapture the early season form that saw him score on his debut, bag the equaliser in Russia and then dazzle at Turf Moor.

There is, arguably, no other player in the squad with his range and quality of passing.

There is certainly nobody with his experience and pedigree, but the three-time Champions League winner has struggled to show it of late.

Tales of Eto’o’s past warned us that there could be times when he was tricky to manage, but they didn’t mean in this way.

The Cameroonian has embraced life at Everton and, consequently, the supporters have embraced him.

Eto’o’s presence as a mentor and teacher cannot be underplayed and the belief is that Romelu Lukaku, Ross Barkley and Everton will see the benefits of his time here long after he has left.

But the former Barcelona forward still has too much quality in those Puma boots of his just to limit his influence to Finch Farm.

Indeed, Eto’o’s enduring value comes into focus as Manchester City prepare to visit Goodison today.

It was his flash of quality at the Etihad in December that carved the one clear opening Everton could muster that night.

The Blues will need every ounce of ingenuity they can muster on Saturday as they look for result to kick-start their season.

Let’s hope Eto’o – always the man for the big occasion – can rise to the challenge.

Everton still want Eto’o but right now they need him to show exactly why.