Enzo Maresca, the manager, openly acknowledged his confidence in a player he previously transferred, a move that occurred last summer. The player, once with Chelsea, now finds himself flourishing at Everton after a £29 million deal.
In just 15 appearances for Everton, the 27-year-old has already nearly equaled his entire goal contribution tally from his time at Chelsea – four goals and three assists. This weekend presents a compelling opportunity for him: a return to west London to face his former team.
Maresca, with a smile, addressed the question of whether he was pleased to see his former player succeeding. He stated he harbored no doubts about Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s potential, emphasizing that consistent playing time would unlock his full capabilities.
While Dewsbury-Hall performed well during his time under Maresca, opportunities were limited due to fierce competition for positions. The manager believes that a consistent run in the starting eleven was all the player needed to truly excel.
Dewsbury-Hall previously celebrated success with Chelsea, winning both the Club World Cup and the Conference League. However, he found his preferred, more advanced role blocked by the exceptional form of players like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.
Under David Moyes at Everton, Dewsbury-Hall has become a pivotal figure, arguably the league’s most in-form player. His recent performances include three goals and two assists in his last five games, highlighted by a stunning winning goal against Manchester United.
Everton’s impressive run of form has propelled them to seventh in the Premier League table, a mere two points behind Chelsea, who are currently experiencing a four-game winless streak. The upcoming match carries significant weight for both sides.
Maresca reflected on the team’s recent form, praising November’s successes while acknowledging a slight dip in December. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the next challenge and maintaining momentum.
He stressed that every game is crucial, pointing to upcoming fixtures against Cardiff and Newcastle as equally important. A victory over Everton, he stated, would be a significant boost, but the team will continue striving for improvement regardless of the outcome.
The manager underscored the need to remain focused and determined, emphasizing that continuous effort and analysis are key to unlocking the team’s full potential and achieving consistent results.
