Harry’s game for Keane

MARCO SILVA says Michael Keane can follow Harry Maguire and become one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League.

Everton’s boss oversaw the improvement in Leicester City’s centre-half while he was in charge at Hull City – an improvement that ended with the stopper landing a £17million move.

After a superb debut campaign for the Foxes, the Yorkshireman starred for England as the Three Lions reached the World Cup semi-final, prompting talk of a £65m switch to Old Trafford.

And Silva believes that while the two players are different, he can see Keane’s career taking off again after his big-money move from Burnley 16 months ago.

He said: “What we did with Harry at

Hull was give him feedback. To be clear what we want – and what we don’t want.

“It’s the same with

Michael. He’s not the same Michael I saw in my first week at the club.

“When I arrived I did my homework on him.

I analysed last season.

It was my obligation as a new coach. What I saw last season and what I saw during the pre-season wasn’t really much different.

“What we did with him, we did with Phil

Jagielka, with Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina as well. How we like our defensive model to be set up was made clear to him.”

And Silva believes he is seeing signs that Keane, recalled to the England squad this week by Gareth Southgate, is on the right path.

He added: “He is trying to build and create. After working with him we have given him more confidence. If he was doing the things we want, we tell him. If he’s not, we tell him as well. He comes in to work, to learn. And he can improve.”

Meanwhile, Silva has laughed off suggestions that Everton will be excluded from any proposed European Super League.

He said: “I don’t believe it will happen. I think we are talking about the Premier League.

“Maybe the most competitive league in the world. What they must do is to try to make the clubs more competitive. I don’t think anything will happen but obviously you never know.”

NEIL MOXLEY CHAT: Silva and Keane