When Everton finally secured the signing of Cenk Tosun in January, there was more than one fan celebrating. For half a season the Blues had been plagued by their failure to replace Romelu Lukaku. The Turkish international was a welcome addition.
When he finally became a regular in the team their optimism was well rewarded. Five goals in 14 games was a decent manner in which to end the campaign. In Tosun, Everton fans saw a striker who could hold up the ball as well as run the channels. He also, too, seemingly had an eye for a goal. There was plenty to be positive about.
Heading into this season optimism was high that Tosun would improve. With Marco Silva replacing Sam Allardyce in the dugout the belief was that he couldn’t do anything but. Any striker in the world relishes playing in a team that will push up the pitch and play high tempo attacking football after all. The goals were expected to flow.
Yet, this season they have been absent. Not that there has been much criticism so far. While Tosun has been goal shy his performances have not been lacking. In fact, the opposite has been true. In Silva’s attacking system Tosun has been key, his tireless running, pressing and link up play crucial to some of the better part of Everton’s first five games.
Against West Ham, however, any good will he had built up came crashing down. Among several poor performers in the 3-1 defeat, Tosun was among the worst. There was no hold-up play, no pressing and very little effort from the Turkish international. It was clear that the striker is lacking in confidence.
That was felt painfully as he wasted several good goalscoring opportunities. One, a header from five yards, which he would have buried last season, elicited the loudest, groans of the day from a disappointed Goodison faithful. Tosun’s poor performance was made worse when compared to that of Marko Arnautovic. While Tosun struggled, the West Ham striker showed everything Everton’s should have been doing. Tireless running, hold up play and goalscoring were the order of the day in a man of the match performance. It raised further questions among the home fans about Tosun.
A striker who does not score goals is a problem for any side. Excuses can be made when he is doing the basics like holding up the ball and pressing. When even those are lacking, though, a decision is necessary. Marco Silva will be contemplating a change for the visit to Arsenal this weekend. If that is the case, what options does the Portuguese boss have?
Chief among his thoughts will be a pair of Brazilians. Namely, Richarlison and Bernard. The Selecao duo could provide the perfect solution to Tosun’s goalscoring problems.
Richarlison has played in a wide left position so far for the Blues this season and done it to great effect. He is, however, no stranger to the centre-forward role. Indeed, his double against El Salvador during the international week showed he is still comfortable in the position. Quick, powerful and capable of holding up the ball the forward would make an ideal replacement for Tosun. He has already shown his goalscoring touch too.
That, though, would leave a gap on the left wing. It is a problem that has caused plenty of issues while Richarlison has been serving a three-game suspension. The answer could be Bernard. A 45-minute display against West Ham at the weekend suggested he is up to the job. The Brazilian was the only bright spark in the disappointing defeat.
Quick, good with the ball at his feet and keen to get involved in the link-up play as much as possible, he would be an ideal replacement for Richarlison on the left of the front three. Doubts may remain over his fitness but he looked sharp and raring to prove a point against the Hammers. A full start against Arsenal would be richly deserved.
The question is whether Silva elects to drop Tosun. Other than the defeat to West Ham the striker has been doing everything his manager would want. A striker who does not score goals, though, is a problem for any team. One who does not even do the basics is an even greater issue. Few would question it if Silva elected to make a change. The positive for the Everton manager is, unlike his predecessors, he has the options to do so.
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