In an interview in the Liverpool Echo the PSV Eindhoven General Manager has talked of the impact Marcel Brands made at the Dutch club and what the implications are for Everton.
Toon Gerbrands has spoken to the paper about what sort of work Brands did at the Eriedivisie club and the positive contribution he can make to Everton in his role at the club.
And Everton fans are already beginning to see the fruits of his first few months as Director of Football.
Four wins in the last five Premier League matches and a steadily growing confidence and consistency in the team’s performances seem to confirm that there is real progress being made.
Brands’ signings have played a significant role in this good recent form, particularly Lucas Digne and Kurt Zouma in defence and in the last few weeks Andre Gomes, the midfielder signed on loan from Barcelona.
And after a smilingly interminable time out injured since he also joined from the Spanish club, Yerry Mina is finally fit and available for selection.
And although Richarlison was certainly a player Marco Silva already knew and wanted to bring him to Goodison having signed him for Watford, he very much fits into the mold of Brands’ own signings.
The Brazilian star is a young, developing talent from South America who is similar to many of the players Brands brought to PSV.
As Gerbrands indicates in his interview with the Echo, Brands specialises in identifying and bringing in youthful talent from Central and South America.
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Players like Hirving Lozano the Mexican winger who had an impressive World Cup this summer after starring for several years with PSV.
His powers of persuasion and his negotiating skills are also impressive.
Everton fans saw this when he first managed to persuade Gomes and Mina to join the Toffees and then took negotiations with Barcelona down to the wire on deadline day to get the best deal for the Blues over their transfers.
I said when he joined Everton I thought it was potentially an even more important recruitment than Silva in enabling the Blues to transform their fortunes. And so far his impact has justified his fine reputation.