There was a reason why at the start of Everton’s initial managerial search, those days in between Ronald Koeman’s sacking and prior to Sam Allardyce appointment, Diego Simeone was discussed as a possible candidate by the powers that be.

The link was greeted with predictable guffawing in the predictable places — ‘why would El Cholo consider Everton?’ — yet feelers were put out in the hope of somehow pulling off a surprise appointment.

Simeone has remained out of reach, of course, and yet his body of work remains the reference point.

Silva said he wants Everton fans to be “proud” of their team TWITTER: EVERTON FC

There are those in the new-look Goodison Park hierarchy who believe Everton should be the Atletico Madrid of the Premier League, a label presumably demanding a team that play with attitude, a club that