Everton Transformed: How Marco Silva has Revitalised the Toffees

Everton’s draw at Chelsea has given Evertonians hope for a good season under Marco Silva. The Toffees sit 9^th and look poised for a top 6 challenge this season. The Street End takes a look at what Silva has done to improve the atmosphere at the School of Science.

Organisation

Marco Silva arrived at Everton with a reputation for organisation and attacking football. It is well documented that the squad he inherited was bloated, unbalanced and in disarray. Silva took the summer to evaluate the squad and worked closely with Marcel Brands to identify the players that he wanted to keep. Big money signings from the previous regime were let go or sent on loan. Quality players were identified and brought in to improve the team. Marco Silva had the squad that he wanted to implement his style of football.

Results were slow at first. Everton had men sent off in 2 out of their first 3 games of the season. Silva worked quickly to show that underperformance would not be tolerated. Fan favourite Leighton Baines was dropped for new signing Lucas Digne. Morgan Schneiderlin gave way to Tom Davies, who eventually was dropped in favour of Andre Gomes. Cenk Tosun was dropped to accommodate Bernard. Silva sent a message to his squad with these moves. No matter who you are, poor performance will not be tolerated. His team began to look like a cohesive unit, culminating in the nil-nil draw at Chelsea. Everton were the first away team to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge this season.

Pressing for Victory

Everton’s style of play is much better to watch this season. Sam Allardyce brought in Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun but neither player set the world on fire last season. They were, undoubtedly, an improvement on what had preceded their signings. This, however, is an indictment on the dross which Koeman and Walsh had served up before. Everton played in a low block but did not have the athleticism to press from the front. Tom Davies was occasionally played out of position in a number 10 role which did not suit him whilst Gylfi Sigurdsson was played on the left. Goals were scruffy, passing was direct and the build-up bypassed midfield. Hardly the School of Science.

Silva insisted on players who had technical ability and could press from the front. Richarlison fit the bill perfectly. The Brazilian’s familiarity with Silva’s style has been a huge factor in Everton’s decent start to the season. His pressing from a forward position doesn’t give defenders a second. Much has been made of his work with the ball but his off the ball efforts are equally important. This can be said of the whole team.

Gylfi Sigurdsson’s return to the number 10 role has showed Evertonians why we spent so much money on him. He has scored 5 goals in 12 games so far this season and has looked dangerous in every game. His tactical awareness and pressing ability was a key part of Everton’s game plan against Chelsea. Sigurdsson kept Jorginho out of the game and the Brazilian should have been sent off for a frustrated hack at his opponents’ ankles. With Walcott and Bernard, this front four have given their opposition no time at all which has taken the pressure of the central midfielders. Silva has set up his forward four as the first line of defence as well as an effective attacking and breaking force.

Midfield Magic

Everton have struggled to create a partnership in the central midfield position since the departure of Gareth Barry. The former England international had an excellent partnership with James McCarthy in Roberto Martinez first season at Everton. Unfortunately, this partnership was curtailed due to the Irishman’s injuries and Barry’s advancing age. Morgan Schneiderlin impressed at first but lost form and has never recovered it since. Tom Davies is still raw despite his metronomic work rate. Idrissa Gueye needed a partner. Brands found the partner in Barcelona.

Andre Gomes looks like has been playing in Everton’s midfield for years. He moves the ball quickly and can spot a key pass to split open a defence. The Barcelona loanee is physically imposing and possesses the tactical awareness to be in the right place at the right time. He is the perfect foil to Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The presence of the Portuguese international has benefitted Gana exponentially. The Senegalese international is able to play his natural pressing game due to Silva’s tactical awareness and positional sense. Everton have more time on the ball in midfield due to the speed in which they move the ball around. This has also helped Gana who was weaker at this part of the game. Marco Silva’s attention to detail and structure have brought out the best in Idrissa Gueye. He is an early contender for Everton’s player of the season.

Strength to Strength

Sam Allardyce was brought in last season to improve Everton defensively. He had a reputation for making teams tight at the back, which he had built at Bolton in his heyday. Even he couldn’t do anything with Ashley Williams. Everton continued to leak goals at an alarming rate. The back 4 looked lost for most of the season. Especially Michael Keane.

The transformation of Michael Keane has been dramatic. He has just played his first game for England in over a year and looks a totally different player from last season. The former Burnley man looks comfortable in possession and has formed a strong partnership with Kurt Zouma. He suffered a horrendous head injury against Bournemouth but returned to the side early and didn’t miss a step. Keane has spoken of his struggles last season when injury and loss of confidence destroyed his hopes of a World Cup call up. Michael Keane’s redemption is another example of the poor management of Koeman and Allardyce. Marco Silva has given Keane the confidence and structure that he didn’t have last season.

Left Back On The Touchline

There has also been a change of guard at left back. Leighton Baines started the season reasonably well but a poor performance against Huddersfield caused the former England international to lose his place. The Kirkby born stalwart has not complained which is a testament to his character. His replacement looks like he will be in the position for years to come. Lucas Digne has shown great athleticism, crossing ability and a tenacity in the tackle reminiscent of Baines at his best. He has quickly adjusted to English football and regained a place in the France squad. Digne is quick on the break and played very well and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Digne could be a future Everton great.

Sterling Silva

Marco Silva’s first few months as Everton manager have shown a great deal of promise. He has completely revamped the way that Everton play football. He has provided a defensive structure and empowered the players to play attacking football. The team is more cohesive than it has been in many years. The toxic atmosphere at Goodison Park is becoming a distant memory. Everton are rejuvenated and the future is promising.

Despite all of this, Silva has just started. There is much more to do before Everton can call themselves a top side. Marco Silva and Marcel Brands know that they have much work to do to restore Everton back to their former glories. They have created a solid platform on which to build a team of the future. Strong recruitment and a clear playing style are the building blocks of the next great Everton team. Silva and Brands now have to take the next steps to make Everton challengers again.

Look out for our next article where we discuss what next steps Silva and Brands must take to bring the glory days back to Goodison. Let us know what you think of Marco Silva’s start in the comments section below.