Sky Sports pundit predicts Tom Davies to have fight on his hands after Everton signings
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Tom Davies has to perform in an Everton shirt after major competition was signed during the transfer window, as his previous work for the club is no longer relevant says Kevin Campbell.
The academy product had developed into a central performer in the squad until last season was almost entirely lost to injury, but has been prominent under Frank Lampard this term since Abdoulaye Doucouré’s injury, starting three Premier League games.
Just as he is playing his way back into the team the midfield picture has been shifted by the arrivals of Idrissa Gueye and James Garner on transfer deadline day, to go with the earlier signing of Amadou Onana, and former captain Campbell, a Sky Sports pundit, thinks the 24-year-old faces a big test but still believes there are opportunities for him.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News Campbell said: “I think it’s all about, you are going to have to perform. When new players come into the building there’s no messing around.
“You’ve got to keep showing. What you’ve done two seasons ago isn’t going to be quite relevant to what you do now.
“I think it’s about having a squad. It’s about having a squad that can perform, and when you get your chance you’ve got to take it.
“I think Tom Davies [has done] pretty well [recently], but obviously there’s new bodies coming in, and there’s got to be bodies coming in who are more experienced that him or they carry a different threat.
“Garner carries a threat at the top end of the pitch because he’s a midfielder who likes to bomb on. Idrissa Gueye, you know what type of player he is. He sits in the midfield, he break things up.
“So that’s going to test Tom Davies to see where he fits in. Again, when he gets his chance he’s going to have to take it. There’s still a lot of football to be played.”
The Everton midfield is heavily stocked now, in some contrast to the attack, with the three summer signings joining a group that features Davies, Doucouré and Lampard favourite Alex Iwobi.
Allan may have been the first choice last season but has slipped to virtually forgotten man status in the middle of the park, so competition has rarely been higher for places.
The manager has clearly seen something in the Merseyside local, and as with his staunch wish to keep hold of Anthony Gordon, appears to value the importance of players who have grown up with the club, so as long as Davies continues to offer something the door should remain open despite the exciting new additions.