George Overhill

Sat 25 November 2023 12:10, UK

Beto has admitted he is “never satisfied” when he plays but has expressed his delight to be an Everton player after his summer move.

The striker told Gianluca Di Marzio, via the Italian journalist’s website, on 24 November that it is “great” to be in the Premier League despite it being “difficult” to score, and named former Toffees forward Samuel Eto’o as his “idol”.

After a positive arrival and a goal in the EFL Cup on his debut the 25-year-old’s league opportunities have been limited by Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and the Portuguese has yet to score in the top flight, but despite the wait he remains “very happy” when the team wins.

Beto said: “I feel great, I feel great. It’s great to play here in a big league like the Premier League and I’m very happy to be an Everton player.

“It’s difficult to score goals everywhere (laughs). But here in the Premier League it’s a bit difficult. I’ve already had several opportunities and I have to continue like this to score.

“I’m never satisfied regardless of whether I’ve scored or not. I’m never satisfied but when Everton wins I’m very happy.

“My idol is Samuel Eto’o even though we have different playing styles. I don’t take inspiration from any player in particular where I say to myself ‘I want to do like him ‘. No, I play my way, the Beto way.

“As I said before, every player can always do more. And I’m honest: I think I can do more. Now I’m at Everton and I’ll have to continue working to improve myself. But one step at a time.”

Positive

Given the recent lack of success in signing strikers there might be a some nerves around the £25.75million deal [Sky Sports 29 August] that brought the former Udinese striker to Merseyside this summer.

A record of one goal and one assist from 11 appearances might suggest that he is set to follow the likes of Neal Maupay, Salomon Rondon and Cenk Tosun as goal-shy Everton strikers.

But with Calvert-Lewin finally fit and on form again the new arrival hasn’t been called upon to deliver immediately in the same way that he surely would have been in recent seasons, although he has shown some flashes of his ability so far.

It is clearly a good thing that he remains positive about his situation despite reduced opportunities, especially when Maupay has recently spoken about his struggles at the club last season [Sky Sports, 23 November].

A striker was the top priority in the transfer market all summer in light of the team’s difficulties with Calvert-Lewin repeatedly struck down by injury, and in the end Beto’s arrival along with youngster Youssef Chermiti felt like an important step.

That neither have been required to make a huge impact yet is a testament to the return to form of their English teammate and the overall uplift in results under Sean Dyche.

But they are both sure to be needed at some point across a long campaign, not least now that the club are battling back from a 10-point deduction that has sent them back down to 19th in the table.

In other Everton news, a government minister acknowledged the “audible agreement” in parliament as the Toffees case was raised.