Cenk Tosun has struggled to impress since his arrival at Everton.
Everton captain Phil Jagielka has been quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying that striker Cenk Tosun needs time before he can thrive at Goodison Park – and the substitutes’ bench is the place for him to do that.
Tosun, 26, has made just three Premier League appearances since his £27million move from Turkish champions Besiktas, one of which came in the form of a 12-minute cameo role against Arsenal.
The Turkey international has fallen down the pecking order behind Oumar Niasse and manager Sam Allardyce was quoted last week as saying that he wants to gain Everton’s Premier League status before using Tosun more regularly.
Jagielka is in agreement that now is not the best time to use the powerful forward, stating Tosun is still adapting to life in England. He believes that letting him watch from the bench is a good thing, as it gives him time to get to know the team.
“I think it’s a little bit early [for a starting berth], he’s not played that much,” Jagielka said. “The games he’s been given haven’t been the easiest for different reasons so it’s a case of biding his time, he’s doing well in training, he’s settling in.
“I think that it’s a good thing because if we’re doing well enough without him it gives him a bit more time to get to know us and slowly get into the team.”
Tosun has had to watch on as teammate Niasse has rediscovered his shooting boots this season, scoring seven goals in 15 Premier League matches for the Toffees including two goals and an assist in his last four outings.
Niasse is expected to start over Tosun once again this weekend, as Everton travel to Hertfordshire to face Watford at Vicarage Road in Saturday’s evening kick-off.
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