Has Everton’s bumper spending hindered Tom Davies’ progression?

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Tom Davies has perhaps not played as much for Everton this season as was expected – is that down to the number of new signings?

Oumar Niasse (2nd L) of Everton celebrates his side’s 2-1 victory with his teammates Tom Davies (1st L), Gylfi Sigurdsson (2nd R) and Idrissa Gueye (1st R).

Everton ended a three-game losing streak in the Premier League at the weekend as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1.

Arguably the key turning point in the hosts’ favour at Goodison Park was the 55th minute double substitution to bring on Oumar Niasse and Tom Davies for Wayne Rooney and Davy Klaassen.

Oumar Niasse of Everton celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

Niasse scored a match-winning brace and therefore stole the headlines, but the energy of Davies played a big part in the Toffees looking more fluid in attack.

The 19-year-old has featured in all six league matches this season, but has started just three and has been taken off by the 66th minute at the latest in those he has started.

Charlie Daniels of AFC Bournemouth and Tom Davies of Everton compete for the ball.

Davies is still a young player and of course his game time needs to be managed, but after breaking through in such impressive style in 2016/17 with 25 appearances it feels as if the teenager should have kicked on this time around.

That is not the midfielder’s fault, with his good form remaining as shown against the Cherries, but is perhaps because manager Ronald Koeman is now having to utilise a squad full of more expensive and high profile personnel.

The Merseysiders’ continually broke spending records over the summer as the Telegraph reports they sanctioned £144.9m on new signings – who Koeman now has to fit into his plans.

All Davies can do is continue playing as he is and hope the Dutchman starts to give him more consistent game time because at the moment the academy product is being somewhat held back in his development.