Marco Silva admits new signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin “had some problems” on Everton debut

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Everton manager Marco Silva believes Jean-Philippe Gbamin needs time to adjust to English football, The Liverpool Echo reports. Everton were held to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season with Gbamin coming on as a substitute.

Andre Gomes picked up an ankle injury and was forced off just before half-time. Gbamin came on for the Portugal midfielder and Silva believes this halted Everton’s momentum.

Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Silva explained: “When I changed it with Jean-Philippe Gbamin he had some problems, which is normal he needs to adapt, and when you sign new players, young players they need time to adapt and it was one of the keys for us because we started losing easy balls during that second-half.”

Gbamin arrived from Mainz in early August so he has had little time to bed in. The Ivory Coast international was thrown into the deep end for the second half. He had never played a game of competitive football in England prior to this.

Inevitably, it will take time for him to adjust. If he fulfils his potential, the 23-year-old can be the long-term Idrissa Gueye replacement. Gbamin would have learned a big lesson from his first outing in English football and it will serve to prepare him for his next match.