OPINION
After making his first appearance of the season against Southampton last weekend, Everton midfielder Tom Davies knows that he is facing a serious fight to pick up any consistent first team football at the club – which is why any chance to dazzle is a golden opportunity.
The 20-year-old broke onto the scene at Goodison Park a couple of seasons back but after becoming a senior revelation he has regressed somewhat into a regular on the substitute’s bench.
Standing at 5’9″ (source: Transfermarkt), the arrival of Andre Gomes from Barcelona this summer is not going to help his cause one bit, having already found himself behind Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye in the pecking order.
However, his make or break moment of the season could well have come just three games into the campaign, with Marco Silva confirming that the French midfielder, who Davies replaced against the Saints, and Gomes are out of the clash with Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving the youngster as next in line to fill the void.
? | Marco Silva confirms @LucasDigne is fit again and @KurtZouma is available for Saturday's trip to @afcbournemouth.
But Yerry Mina, @aftgomes and @SchneiderlinMo4 will miss out.
? LIVE: https://t.co/ToNm2sc83O pic.twitter.com/BFK8BCavQf
— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2018
Davies will not get a more clear cut chance to prove he has what it takes to be not only a regular feature on the fringes of the first team but in the heart of the action, demonstrating his talents to the Toffees faithful on a more consistent basis.
However, a poor display on the south coast could make Silva’s mind up about keeping him in reserve for the rest of the campaign, using others ahead of him and only using the English starlet when necessary – usually as a substitute.
That is not what Davies wants or needs to help aid his development, and so he could well be facing the biggest game of his season, potentially his career with regards to the short-term future, with a trip to Bournemouth.