Marco Silva has a clear plan for Tom Davies

Tom Davies certainly enjoyed his international break, especially as it has brought his (lack of) Everton playing time back into focus after two excellent games for the England Under-21s against Turkey and Moldova. The 3-2 and 2-0 wins respectively gave the Young Lions a 100% start to the qualifiers for Euro 2021 for the Under-21s in Group C.

However, while Aidy Boothroyd tried Davies out in the holding midfielder role, Everton manager Marco Silva insists the 21-year old might be versatile but is best further forward.

“It’s important to see him playing, it’s the main thing for me.

”I’m not seeing Tom as my holding midfielder, even if he is good and can do that in the international team.

“He played with three central defenders and four back in some moments of the game and that’s a good thing for him.,

”It’s a very good solution for us if he can do any of the three positions in the midfield line - if that’s eight position or as an offensive midfielder too.”

Fan-favourite Davies has been pushed to the periphery this season with the arrival of Fabian Delph and the still-injured Jean-Philippe Gbamin, but despite the youngster having only played eight minutes this season, Silva insists there is still a role for him.

”Our plans our so clear for him. Even if he hasn’t played this season, the competition is really tough for everyone.

“Tom is working really hard and giving his best everyday to get his chance in the squad and in the XI but that’s what I want from him.

”He has to work really hard and be ready when the chance comes to him to answer well, this is the plan not just for Tom but for all the others as well but the competition is tough.

”We have a lot of solutions, at the end I will make the decisions [about who plays] and my decision comes from what they do during the week here and in the matches.”