Everton signed Bernard on transfer deadline day from Shakhtar Donetsk, but he is yet to play more than five minutes under Marco Silva.
There is understandable excitement around Everton for Bernard, a player who was reportedly courted by both AC Milan (Calciomercato) and Chelsea (Globoesporte) before completing his deadline-day move to Goodison Park.
The Brazilian arrived on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, boasting 14 caps for his country and numerous honours after five successful years in Ukraine.
All that excitement is still for the potential, however, as Everton fans are yet to see more than five minutes of Bernard, who was not ready for the first two games and saw an injury rule him out of the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.
Marco Silva says he hopes to include Bernard in his squad for Sunday’s game with West Ham United at Goodison Park, though, and that match could represent the perfect opportunity to blood the Brazilian for the first time.
West Ham are still a work in progress, to say the least, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League with no points from four games despite a summer full of activity.
You can expect space against them and you can expect mistakes – both things that would give an experienced player needing a little time to find his feet exactly what he needs.
Everton need someone to exploit whatever West Ham serve up and, with Richarlison suspended and Theo Walcott a doubt through injury, Bernard seems perfectly placed to do just that.
Silva should take the chance to give him plenty of minutes because if Everton want a match where Bernard can relax and play his own game, they are unlikely to get a better chance than at home against a disjointed West Ham side.
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