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First player rumours for new Everton manager

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Coke of Schalke and Patrick Van Aarnholt of Crystal Palace chat at the end of the Pre Season Friendly between Crystal Palace and FC Schalke 04 at Selhurst Park on August 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Coke of Schalke and Patrick Van Aarnholt of Crystal Palace chat at the end of the Pre Season Friendly between Crystal Palace and FC Schalke 04 at Selhurst Park on August 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Now that Everton have finally appointed the man who majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri always wanted, we take a look at early rumours of players coming and going as Marco Silva starts his reign as Blues manager.

One of the players being linked with Everton now that Silva is confirmed in post, is a fellow countryman of his William Carvalho.

According to reports coming out of Portugal the midfielder is keen to move on from Sporting Lisbon, where he has spent his entire career to date.

Everton fans might remember that Carvalho was the subject of a protracted transfer bid from West Ham last summer.

The Hammers tried in vain to secure the players’ signature but no agreement could be reached and the deal fell through.

There was a feeling that Sporting Lisbon were an awkward club to deal with and that is something that Everton will have to bear in mind if they do move for this player.

However it might help smooth things along that Silva does  know the player and the club well from his time at Sporting.

Carvalho has had another good, strong season in Portugal. Sporting only finished fourth though in the Prima Liga.

He is primarily regarded as a defensive midfielder and his stats bear that out as he made almost 2 tackles per match. His attacking contribution was limited, he only scored 1 goal and made 1 assist.

Another defensive midfielder is not where I think Everton’s transfer priorities should be., However Carvalho is a fine passer of the ball and had an outstanding pass completion percentage of almost 90%.

And as we’ve regularly said one of the Blues’ major weaknesses is the sides’ inability to keep hold of the ball, which puts the defence under so much additional pressure.

So perhaps it would make sense to bring him in especially if Silva decides to let Muhamed Besic and possibly also Morgan Schneiderlin leave this summer.

Another player Everton are supposedly interested in is the Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

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According to The Sun, van Aanholt is being targeted as a replacement for Leighton Baines as the Blues search for a long-term successor for the veteran.

The Palace player had a good campaign at Selhurst Park as the Eagles survived in the Premier League for another season.

He netted five times last season playing at left-back or on the left hand side of midfield.

Next: Shock news Silva joins at last!

Left-back is a position where Everton need to consider the future and van Arnholt might not be a bad option, although I think there are other better players who might be available such as Tottenham’s Danny Rose.

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