A few Everton fans have been reacting on social media after Marco Silva defended his decision to play Moise Kean as a winger by referring to his goals for Italy’s Under 21s against Armenia.
Kean featured from the right-hand side of the Azzurrini’s offence at home to Armenia on Tuesday night, as Italy demolished their opposition 6-0 in a U21 Championship Group 1 fixture at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.
The result moved the Azzurrini to within three points of first-placed Republic of Ireland, and was Kean’s first outing on the international stage since being sent off against the Green Army in October when playing for Italy’s U21s as a left-winger.
Rather than see red again, Kean scored twice against Armenia with goals in the 15th and 41st minutes, and Silva has used this to defend his use of the Vercelli-born forward.
“Maybe important for some of you [to realise] he scored twice from the right-wing [for Italy during the week],” the boss told reporters at his pre-game press conference on Friday, via quotes by The Athletic’s Greg O’Keefe.
Kean’s last five appearances for Italy’s U21s have now come as a wide forward option, while also making two of his three senior Azzurri outings on the wing – scoring on both occasions.
The 19-year-old has rarely featured for us since his £27.5million move from Juventus in the summer, with Kean making 12 appearances across all competitions but only starting twice in the Premier League and twice in the Carabao Cup.
His second start in the EFL tournament came as a right-winger, while also playing out wide frequently against Lincoln City in the First Round win in August.
What is Kean's best position?
Striker
Left-wing
Right-wing
Kean’s best moment against the Imps came when he was out wide, too, as the Italian youngster crashed a shot off the post shortly before half-time after jinking his way into the box following a long-ball forward by Jordan Pickford.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Silva’s comment…
Yeah, but Italy is playing different system ????
— Richard Brejsa (@rbrejsa) November 22, 2019
If he classes kean as a winger I give up . Another transfer window lukaku was not replaced
— Steven Verhoeven (@steverhoeven) November 22, 2019
That being the case why didn’t we sign a no 9 this summer?
— Jonathan Dunn (@JonathanDunn12) November 22, 2019
That’s great Marco but you told us when we bought him he was a striker. We don’t need another right winger.
— P (@PM1tty) November 22, 2019
So, we have found the hill he is happy to die on.
— Duke Silver (@Carl0sAlbert0) November 22, 2019
Ye but Marco we need a striker surely he was signed for that…I get tactical putting him out wide at times…but he should be our no1 striker
— Matt Vicary (@Vicaz22) November 22, 2019
This, my friends, is called “dabbing on the haters”
— Cat of the Canals (@otrochris) November 22, 2019