OPINION
For years now Leighton Baines has firmly been the number one choice for the left back role at Everton, but the arrival of French international Lucas Digne has threatened to end his lengthy reign at Goodison Park.
The former Barcelona man was no doubt brought in as a long-term replacement for the English defender, but phasing someone out with Baines’ all-round qualities, including his ability from dead ball situations, is easier said than done.
It is why the pair have been rotated around during the opening games of the campaign, with Baines seeming to still be first choice before the French flyer worked his way into the starting XI at his expense.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo of the battle between the duo, Silva insists the doubt he breeds only results in the pair upping their performances both on the training ground and on the pitch and that he intends to keep playing games with them.
However, he is gambling with the first team’s success by not giving one or the other a regular first team role, for it breeds uncertainty not just between the duo but through the whole squad.
Success can often come down to how balanced a side is with each other but if the players do not know who is going to be playing next to them on Saturday or Sunday, how can they prepare properly?
There can be no real confidence in one player getting a run of games and bedding himself into the side, and the fear is that one mistake could see you dropped immediately instead of being given the chance to recover in the next outing.
That does not do any good for the first team and it is something Silva should not be encouraging throughout his squad – he needs to make a decision and stick to his guns.