Michael Keane played his first match for England on Thursday since starting against Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier in August 2017

But his showing against the U.S.A. at Wembley emphasised the dramatic rise he has made since joining the Toffees from Burnley in last year's summer transfer window.

Brought to Goodison Park by then manager, Ronald Koeman, Keane was a key figure in the turnaround of the club's 2017/18 season that saw them just miss out on a spot in the Europa League.

Under Marco Silva this season however, the 25-year-old is proving that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level and very much deserved a recall to the England starting lineup. His performances since the start of the season, but particularly recent matches, also showed that the resilience he has and could be the main component of an Everton team that might very well qualify for a spot in Europe next season.

Despite the Merseyside club making a number of signings in the summer, including the additions of Yerry Mina from Barcelona and the loan-signing of Kurt Zouma, Keane has made one of the centre-back spots his own, starting and completing all the matches he's been available for.

A minor head injury kept him out for three matches in September, but since returning he has been the backbone of Silva's team. His partnership with Mina in Sunday's draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge proved to be the key difference in getting a well-deserved point from the match and it will no doubt be the combination that the manager sticks with for the rest of the season.

Given the fact that Everton only paid £25m for him, which at the time might have seemed a lot for an unknown defender from Burnley, has certainly turned into a huge profit on the field for the club and could reap even more rewards as the season progresses.