during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on May 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England.

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Nikola Vlasic could fit perfectly into Marco Silva’s Everton system

Mathew Nash

Mon 25 June 2018 20:30, UK

Things are set to change at Everton, with the Toffees looking to bring in new faces under the management of Marco Silva and with director of football Marcel Brands pulling the strings.

But what about the outgoings? A number of fringe players are being linked with the exit door at Goodison Park. The likes of Davy Klaassen, Mo Besic, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Williams, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman have all been linked with exits recently, and that list goes on.

But what about Croatian talent Nikola Vlasic?

for the athletic attacker last summer, after he impressed in a Europa League qualifier between the two clubs just weeks earlier.

Strong, direct, fast and good in front of goal, Everton felt they had got their hands on a gem. It certainly looked that way when he scored on his debut against Apollon Limassol.

But his season soon dwindled out. Ronald Koeman got the sack and Vlasic played just 12 league games for the club. Despite thriving in the Europa League, scoring twice in six appearances he never got much of a chance in the top-flight.

Everton have options out wide. Theo Walcott and Yannick Bolasie are currently present whilst the returning Ademola Lookman and Kieran Dowell are looking to make an impact next season.

But Vlasic also deserves a chance at first-team football for Everton.

The good news, on the face of it, is that Vlasic has the attributes of a Silva player. Similar in style to Watford’s Richarlison it is easy to see him being used in a front-three by the new Everton boss.

Hopefully so. Everton fans have only seen the tip of the iceberg from the 20-year-old and he could be a breakout star in 2018-19.