Marco Silva is fooling no one after claiming Cenk Tosun still holds a future at Goodison Park, following his controversial decision to drop the 27-year-old again.
What’s he said?
Speaking ahead of Everton’s trip to Brighton on Saturday, Silva was questioned on his decision to select Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse over Tosun altogether in his matchday squad that thrashed Burnley 5-1 on Boxing Day.
The Guardian quote Silva stating: “Of course Tosun has a future here. Why would he not?
“I decided to go with Oumar Niasse for a change, that’s all. James McCarthy and Morgan Schneiderlin were also not in the squad, but that was one specific game for which we decided to change the formation.”
An unconvincing stance
Selecting Calvert-Lewin in the matchday squad was nothing special or even new, but to go with Niasse over Tosun is where the doubt in the Turkish forward’s future lies.
Niasse has not featured for Everton since October 2, when he replaced Kieran Dowell as an early-second half substitute against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, and is yet to find the net under Silva.
Tosun, meanwhile, was the first-choice striker when the former Watford head coach took charge, but was soon replaced by Richarlison and left feeding off the Brazilian’s scraps after a few unconvincing displays.
Since the September international break, the 27-year-old has started three games, with two of those – at home to Newcastle and West Ham – resulting in being hauled off on the 69th minute.
Asking for but not showing commitment
If Tosun honestly had a future at the club, Silva would be expected to hand the Turkish international more regular game time than fleeting substitute outings.
In his pre-Brighton comments, he claimed his side had to show quality and commitment against Burnley, but Silva’s decision to drop Tosun altogether suggests that he is not committed to making the Turk’s time at the club work.
Instead, it may be worth cashing in on the reported interest for the striker, with Besiktas linked with a move for their former man, now valued at £18million rated, who only moved to England in January.