Many Everton fans have been reacting online after Tom Davies claimed the key to his success has been, in part, down to turning vegetarian.
The 5 ft 10 midfielder endured a challenging start to the campaign as Marco Silva often left Davies on the bench, but he was recalled to the starting line-up for our 2-0 win over West Ham United and has not missed an opening league squad since.
Davies also struck his first goal of the term in our 2-1 win at Southampton before linking up with England’s Under 21s, for whom he featured from the base of a diamond midfield against Albania as the Young Lions maintained their 100 per cent qualifying record.
He now hopes that finding the back of the net on the south coast will serve as the start to writing his name on the scoresheet more regularly, after growing into the physical demands of the top-flight.
“I am feeling strong and fit – that side of my game is coming along and I can feel it out on the pitch,” Davies told EvertonTV. “I have always done extra in the gym and I am a vegetarian now.
“I feel strong and also that I am growing into the physicality of the Premier League. I am happy with everything and how things are going for me.
“Scoring is an area of my game I can still improve on a lot and it is definitely something I need to do more. I know I can get goals, it is a case of finding opportunities in games to score. I managed to get one at Southampton, so I’ll look back at how I did that and try to recreate it in more games.”
What should be Davies' role in Silva's plans?
Box-to-box option
Attacking midfielder
Holding midfielder
Silva’s maiden term at Goodison Park saw Davies feature much more than the 21-year-old had in the opening eight weeks of the current Premier League season, as the boss turned to the academy product in six of our initial eight games.
After that, Davies struggled to earn regular minutes in the top-flight, and will now be looking to ensure he does not suffer a repeat of that this term after returning to the starting line-up.
Here are some of the reactions offered to his comments on turning vegetarian…
VIVA TOM DAVIES.
— Larry (@haz1878) November 19, 2019
???????? Tommy D knows
— Callum Gray (@Callum_Gray97) November 19, 2019
What a fair choice, Tom ????????
— Everton FC France (@EFCFrance) November 19, 2019
Tom is maturing into a proper player with his new strength and confidence. We should give other lads the chance and not let them leave.
— Fast Eddie ???? (@FastEddieGB) November 19, 2019
Go Tommy boy – your time is now !
— Dirty Harry (@GoAheadPunkK) November 20, 2019
Tremendous stuff Tom.
— Peter Papadopoulos (@PeterPapadopo11) November 20, 2019
Nice one Tom keep eating those carrots for Andre!!! 🙂 🙂
— Maxy (@MaxyMj3669) November 20, 2019
Great quote until the vegetarian bit
— Åłïštēr Måśtęrš (@alister_masters) November 19, 2019