Cenk Tosun was signed in the January transfer window to solve Everton’s shortage of potent options at centre-forward, but a solution to the solution has since been brought to Goodison Park in the shape of Richarlison.
While the Brazilian boy wonder was not signed to play at centre-forward, his prolific record in front of goal has forced Marco Silva to deploy him through the middle rather than in his natural left-wing position.
A clinical finisher who possesses both a magnificent leap to win headers and a blistering turn of pace, Richarlison is blessed with a handful of characteristics which make up a regular goal scorer, so it’s not surprise that he has hit the ground running at Everton.
Meanwhile, Tosun has scored just seven goals from twenty-four appearances in the Premier League, and Richarlison’s comparative success has provoked fresh questions regarding the Turkey international’s role at the club.
Tosun (valued at £20.7 million by Transfermarkt) started the first five Premier League fixtures, but he has since found himself on the substitutes bench in the past seven fixtures. That he failed to come off the bench against both Brighton and Chelsea speaks volumes about his diminishing importance at the club, but there is still plenty of reason to suggest that he could yet become a key figure.
It’s important to recognise that Silva is in the very early stages of his career at the club, so Tosun should not be overly alarmed by his lack of opportunity in recent weeks. The Portuguese manager is experimenting with his starting line-up in order to establish his strongest eleven, and Tosun will get more opportunities to prove himself as the season develops.
The key for Silva is to ensure that he can keep Tosun’s confidence high on the training ground and assure the 27-year-old that he has a vital role to play under his tutelage, as he will inevitably fade into insignificance if he doesn’t genuinely believe that his manager trusts him to lead the line.
Based on how quickly Tosun has fallen out of favour in recent weeks, along with his modest goal scoring return since joining the club when judged in relation to his price-tag, it would not be overly critical to describe him as a disappointment so far, but sporadic moments of technical quality and intelligent positioning inside the 18-yard box indicate that a promising player is waiting to be unleashed.
If Silva can unlock the full extent of his potential it will be a stroke of genius that would hold Everton in good stead to qualify for Europe this season.
Everton fans – thoughts on Tosun? Let us know below!
