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“We knew it would be difficult”: Marco Silva reflects on Everton’s summer failure

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Everton boss Marco Silva has reflected on the club’s failure to land a new centre-back this summer, after seeing our hopes of signing Kurt Zouma from Chelsea dashed, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

The Toffees had wanted to increase the boss’ defensive options after allowing Phil Jagielka’s contract to lapse, and saw Zouma return to Stamford Bridge, where he hopes he can forge a key role for himself under Frank Lampard.

Attentions later turned to Manchester United with talks over potential loan deals for Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo, but the Red Devils refused to sanction temporary transfers as they held out for £30m and £25million respectively.

Our centre-half ranks now consist of Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina, who failed to show he could maintain his fitness during his inaugural season on Merseyside, while Holgate’s loan spell with West Bromwich Albion was mostly spent at right-back.

Failing to add to this group before the summer window slammed shut has left Silva somewhat disappointed.

“I’ll be honest with you, of course, it’s not the best scenario for me as a coach,” the boss said. “Again, we had our targets since the first day, not just one or two players, but a list of targets for many reasons we didn’t achieve.

“But this is football, it’s not the best scenario in this moment. We start with three central defenders, but it’s what it is, and we have to manage the situation in the best way.”

Silva went on to add: “We have tried [to sign Zouma permanently from Chelsea] like is normal.

“Since he’s left, we knew it would be difficult, but we tried to get different players also. Now, we have to look at Mina, Michael and Mason, who are our central defenders – getting them better.

“When I chose Zouma, maybe you all didn’t believe how he could perform at our club, and I didn’t have doubts. We helped him to perform well, and now it’s my job to do the same again with Michael, Mina and with Mason.”

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