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“He knows how to” – Former Everton ace reveals 6 ft 1 ace is the inspiration Silva needs on the pitch

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“He knows how to” – those are the words of former Everton star midfielder John Collins in a recent interview with the club’s website relating to the man who he believes can take Marco Silva’s gameplan and implement it on the pitch.

If Silva is to turn things around, he will certainly need to rely on his players delivering his message when it counts, as the form they are displaying suggests they are either not buying into his tactics, his motivation, or more worryingly both.

Collins, though, believes that Andre Gomes possesses the qualities needed to lead the team and be a key figure in the closing stages of the season, having settled into his Merseyside surroundings.

The 6 foot 1 midfielder’s recent games tend to lean towards a flux in intensity, but the 25-year-old was able to open his Toffees account with a powerful strike at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and impress the 60-cap ex-Scotland international with his control in possession.

“Gomes is a very good football player,” Collins told evertonfc.com. “He knows how to get on the ball, he always wants it and makes good angles.

“Tackling is less of a part of modern-day football, but interceptions are important, you have to be sharp, win back possession and work hard for your teammates. Evertonians also want players to pass and move and be creative and entertaining. Gomes is an excellent passer of the ball and good to watch.

“He gets it off the back four and moves it to the next area of the pitch. He showed recently he can get up the park and score goals, too, and hopefully he can continue adding that to his game.

“The type of football Marco Silva wants to play, everybody has to want the ball and be comfortable on it. Football is about having options, about movement, and Gomes generally picks the right option.”

In his 19 Premier League games, Gomes has recorded 18 interceptions, 30 successful tackles and 921 completed passes, four of which considered key.

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