LOOK SHARP

Silva tells Ade: Fight for place

Marco Silva has told wantaway ademola lookman he has to fight for his dreams at Everton.

The England Under-21 star was left out of the Toffees squad last weekend, with the manager admitting he is not happy at the club amid suggestions he is trying to force a move to RB Leipzig, where he went on loan last season.

There were even claims the 20-yearold had refused to travel to Wolves last Saturday and would miss training, but Silva dismissed those rumours.

But the new Goodison boss did hint the player’s attitude hadn’t been right as he fired a warning shot at Lookman (right), saying he had to fight for what he wants with the club who pay his wages.

“Lookman knows very well why he wasn’t in the squad last week. It was a technical decision and he knows very well why. But I can tell you he has trained very well this week and responded how I wanted him to,”

Silva said.

“Even if he’s not really happy, he has to be in the future, and it is a matter of him fighting for what he wants in his career.

“In this moment, he is our player. I am happy to keep him as our player, and now it is up to him to fight for his position, for a place in the starting XI, and in our squad list as well.”

Silva hinted new-boy Bernard could be on the bench this weekend – which would place Lookman further down the pecking order – and that loan signing Kurt Zouma could play.

With new boys Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes also arriving at the club this week, Everton have had a huge influx of overseas talent in the transfer window, meaning the club will have the task of bedding them in. And Silva explained he has imposed an “English only” language rule to try and foster team bonding... even if he faces a fine himself.

Asked if he insisted on players speaking English to avoid cliques, he replied: “Of course, and that applies to me as well because I am still improving my English.

“It’s the same for everyone here. We talk about Richarlison, but it is something I have already told Bernard and Mina to do. They have to learn English as well.”

Mina and Gomes are still injured and won’t be involved in the match.