Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Club rivals for Alisson
New Goodison Park boss vows to repair broken bond between team and fans after bad blood of Allardyce era
MARCO SILVA arrived at Everton vowing to take the suffering club to the next step.
And he wants to make Portugal midfielder William Carvalho his first signing on the Blues’ journey back to the top. Silva worked with Carvalho – a Euro 2016 winner – at Sporting Lisbon.
There, the 26-year-old was a key figure in a side that the Portuguese coach led to a cup final triumph.
And Silva promised Everton’s longsuffering supporters he will build a connection with them, banish the dark days of Sam Allardyce and introduce a brand of football they can be proud of.
“I want to look forward – it’s not a moment to look at the past,” he said. “All Evertonians want to see the club arrive at the next step.
“I’ve heard sometimes this is the moment for Everton to go to the next step, and everybody is hungry to give that. You can talk about desire and about ambition, commitment, attitude.
“These three aspects are really important for me in our team, and it’s important to go to the next step because everyone deserves it and the fans deserve it.”
Most important of all though, is a fresh attitude of the club following the divisive reign of Allardyce, who produced results but incensed fans with his low-risk football.
Silva will do the opposite. The Toffees’ new director of football Marcel Brands insisted Silva will offer what Allardyce never could – being adventurous and giving youngsters a chance.
“He’s a guy who wants to play attractive, attacking football, and has proved already he wants to work with young players,” Brands said.
Silva went further, by promising a refreshing new style on the pitch, to wash away the bad taste left by Allardyce, and reconstruct the relationship with the Goodison faithful that was lost last season.
“We want to build a great connection between the squad and the fans,” insisted Silva.
“I’m sure that with our attitude and demands of commitment then our style of play will see that, I believe it.
“I know what our fans expect – they expect results but not only results. I want our fans to be proud when they see our team on the pitch.
“I want them to feel we’re committed, that we are working hard and enjoying our football because that is important as well.”
Silva wants Carvalho to play a big part in that. One of the most wanted footballers in Europe when he helped Portugal be crowned kings of Europe, he has made clear his desire to come to the Premier League.
A move to West Ham collapsed at the 11th hour last term, but he will leave Sporting, and Everton are favourites for his signature.
For Silva, that will help in his drive to bring trophies back to the club and relive past glories.
“Everton is a really ambitious club and that’s what I want,” he said. “What we’re seeing now are good changes at the club.
“Everybody knows Everton’s history. When you’re a club like Everton, you only have one solution – to aim to win.
“The club is changing its approach.
“But one thing we can’t change – and nobody wants to change – is the huge history and ambition of the club.” talks that have stretched out over a whole year, looks no closer to a new deal. It means Chelsea must cash in – or lose him on a free.
The Belgium keeper has been linked with Liverpool – who would be interested if he wanted to stay in the Premier League – but he is determined to go back to Madrid, with his family still living in the Spanish capital.
The question is which Madrid club. If Courtois returned to Atletico, that would make their keeper Jan Oblak (top) a target.
And Liverpool may well jump at the chance to sign the Slovenia keeper.
More likely, though, is a move to Real Madrid for Courtois, which would then make Bernabeu keeper Keylor Navas available to any interested clubs.