Bernard has only started one Premier League game but has already made a big impact at Everton.
Everton might have spent huge sums on the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Yerry Mina in the last two years but the most impressive signing of the Farhad Moshiri era could be a free agent.
Bernard has caught the eye since he arrived at Goodison Park in the summer following the expiry of his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The skilful winger has lined up on the left so far and has proved hugely influential despite starting just one Premier League game, producing a wondrous assist to set up Richarlison’s goal in last week’s 2-1 win at Leicester City.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, former Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe believes Bernard could be even more influential in a different position while likening him to the diminutive Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola.
“I don’t think Bernard has come into the club to be a left-sided player,” Ratcliffe said of the Brazil international. “He seems better suited centrally to me.
“What’s interesting is that you look at him and he looks like your more traditional No. 10 almost in the Gianfranco Zola mould – small and nimble.
“If he gets to grips with the rigours of the Premier League, and at the minute he looks to be doing very well in that respect, then you can certainly see him going into that No. 10 role in time.”
According to the Mirror, Everton beat Chelsea, Inter Milan and West Ham to the signature of Bernard, which should be considered a major coup for the club’s new director of football Marcel Brands.
But, with Sigurdsson finally justifying his £45 million fee in the number ten role, surely it makes sense for Marco Silva to keep Bernard out wide for now.
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