Kieran Dowell has revealed his frustration over a lack of game time at Everton but praised manager Marco Silva’s impact on his development.
The youngster netted in last night’s 4-0 victory over Gor Mahia at Goodison Park after failing to appear since last month’s Carabao Cup exit to Southampton.
The 21-year-old has been left out of each matchday squad following the defeat and told the ECHO he was happy to make a comeback in the friendly win.
When asked about returning to the side and scoring, Dowell replied: “Yeah, that’s been the frustrating thing at the moment – not getting as much game time.
“It’s nice to get the kit on and get on the pitch at Goodison as well. It was good.
“I still haven’t got that first competitive [goal] for Everton but it’s always nice to score in front of a good turn out.”
Dowell lined up alongside England U21 team-mates Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ademola Lookman and Tom Davies in the victory and the attacking midfielder believes he’s forging strong links with the rest of Silva’s squad after spending the entirety of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
“We’ve played a lot together with Tom coming through the years and Dom as well with England,” he added.
“I’m familiar with how they want to play but obviously with all the other players too, in training every day I’ve got a good relationship with everyone.”
Yerry Mina made his first start for the Blues in the Sport Pesa Trophy final and Dowell reckons the 24-year-old is getting his point across on the pitch after a commanding performance in the rout.
“He’s a top character. A big signing for the club and I think he’ll do well. He’s fit right in with the lads,” he said.
“To be fair he’s trying his best [to learn the language]. He hasn’t got the most English but he’s coming on fast.
“I think we’ve got a few foreigners now and you don’t have to be speaking so much to each other, you sort of know the little bits and football terms that you can get by with.”
Everton head to Stamford Bridge this weekend as they take on Chelsea and with the recent emergence of Andre Gomes, Dowell continues to fight for a place in Silva’s matchday squad. Will he get a chance to start the game?