Marco Silva has stated a fresh opinion on Cenk Tosun, which could mean the Everton flop gets another shot at success at Goodison Park.
Silva was speaking to Everton TV on Monday and noted the Turkish striker’s improving form in his recent appearances on Merseyside.
Tosun had been dropped for much of the season after the former Besiktas forward struggled to hit the ground running under his new manager in the summer.
Add to that Richarlison’s impressive start as a centre-forward and it looked like Tosun’s hopes of a prolonged stay at Goodison Park could well be over, but the 27-year-old earned a reprieve when his Brazilian teammate hit a block.
The 35-cap international has featured in four of Everton’s last five games in all competitions, including 25 minutes in the Toffees’ FA Cup defeat to Millwall.
Despite the result, Tosun scored with his only shot on target, which proved enough to catch his manager’s attention.
Speaking to Everton TV, Silva noted: “Even if he was not playing many minutes – and did not start the past few matches – he is always an important player for us.
“He has been working really hard in the past few weeks to achieve what he wants.
“He came in [against Millwall] and helped the team in that important moment.”
Silva’s latest comments could mean Tosun will not be sold, or loaned out, in the final days of the January window, after it emerged that Everton slapped a £20million asking price on the Sam Allardyce signing.