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Marco Silva arrived at Everton with the vow to take the suffering club to the next step.

And he wants to make Portugal midfield star William Carvalho his first signing on the Blues' journey back to the top.

Silva has worked with the Euro 2016 winner before at Sporting Lisbon, where the now 26-year-old was one of the key influences in the team that the new Goodison gaffer took to a cup final triumph.

And he has promised Everton’s long-suffering supporters that he will do the same again — by banishing the dark days of Sam Allardyce, building a connection with the fans, and introducing a brand of football they can be proud of.

(Image: Everton FC)

“I want to look forward – it is not a moment to look at the past,” he insisted. “All Evertonians want to see the club arrive at the next step.

“I have heard sometimes this is the moment for Everton to go to the next step, and everybody is hungry to give that. You can talk about desire and about ambition, commitment, attitude.

“These three aspects are really important for me in our team, and it is important to go to the next step because everyone deserves it and the fans deserve it.”

(Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Most important of all though, is a fresh attitude of the club following the divisive reign of Allardyce, who produced results but incensed fans with his low risk football.

Silva will do the opposite.

New director of football Marcel Brands announced the capture of the manager by insisting he will offer two things Big Sam never could, which is to play adventurous football and give young players a chance.

“He’s a guy who wants to play attractive, attacking football, and has proved already he wants to work with young players,” Brands said.

(Image: Getty)

Silva went further, by promising a refreshing new style of football, to wash away the bad taste left by Allardyce, and rebuild the relationship with fans that was lost this season.

“We want to build a great connection between the squad and the fans,” he said.

“I’m sure that with our attitude and demands of commitment then our style of play will see that, I believe it.

“I know what our fans expect - they expect results but not only results. I want our fans to be proud when they see our team on the pitch.

(Image: Gareth Copley)

“I want them to feel that we are committed, that we are working hard and enjoying our football because that is important as well.”

Silva wants Carvalho to play a big part in that.

He was one of the most-wanted footballers in Europe when he helped Portugal to lift the European Championship, and he has made clear his desire to come to the Premier League.

A move to West Ham collapsed at the 11th hour last season, but he will leave Sporting this time, and Everton are favourites.

(Image: Alex Morton)

For Silva, that will help in his desire to bring trophies back to the club and relive past glories.

“Everton is a really ambitious club and that is what I want. What we are seeing now are good changes at the club,” he added.

“Everybody knows Everton’s history.

“When you are a club like Everton, you only have one solution - to aim to win. The club is changing its approach. But one thing we cannot change and nobody wants to change is the huge history and ambition of the club.”