What can Everton possibly expect from Eto'o?

Being one of Roberto Martinez's final forays into the summer transfer window depth in attack, within six minutes of his debut, he was already demonstrating a scoring touch, deftly heading in a Leighton Baines free-kick against Chelsea and providing the sort of instant impact his manager will expect.

Eto'o has been terrific since he came on. His quality on the ball is there for all to see — Phil Kirkbride (@philkecho) August 30, 2014

It was the options behind Romelu Lukaku that ultimately cost Everton a Champions League place last season.

Eto'o's goal against Chelsea already puts him one ahead of the combined efforts of Lacina Traore, Nikica Jelavic (at Everton) and Arouna Kone last season.

All three were supposed to support Romelu Lukaku yet none managed a single Premier League strike. In the seven games the Toffees played without Lukaku, they scored just five goals, compared to the 56 scored in the 31 games he featured in—this ratio will become far more equal with Eto'o on board.

Questions may be raised about the former Cameroon captain's lasting effectiveness but Eto'o's remained prolific over the past 12 seasons.

Remarkably, he hasn't failed to reach double figures since the 2001/02 campaign and his worst scoring ratio during that time is still a highly potent 2.67 games per goal.

Samuel Eto'o to sign with Everton as a free agent. His career statistics #EFC #CFC #EPL pic.twitter.com/SwqGZ80LgP — Aaron Nielsen (@ENBSports) August 26, 2014.

In short, even a relatively large decline will still provide Everton with a sizeable return in goals this season, and substantially more than was achieved in Lukaku's absence last term.

Eto'o will provide a scoring threat off the bench, as he did against his former employers on Saturday, and can also deputise for Lukaku to keep the Belgian in peak fitness.

Eto'o and Lukaku rocking up at Goodison Park today. Pic via @andyteebaypics pic.twitter.com/WHtPk6k4Fu — Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) August 30, 2014

Everton will play several Europa League ties this season, in which Eto'o's European experience will prove vital and there will also be opportunities to start both forwards together.

Lukaku appeared almost unplayable against Arsenal last season, lining up on the right flank and cutting in on his left foot. He played that role again this season and Martinez may well toy with this combination over the coming months.

Given Everton's extended set of fixtures this season, the Toffees are likely to pass 50 games by May. A return of around 12-15 starts for Eto'o, supplemented by 20 appearances from the bench seems a likely contribution.

That input would then provide a realistic chance of making it 13 straight years scoring 10 goals or more.