Carlo Ancelotti insists Moise Kean will be "back next season" to rejoin the Everton squad after his loan with Paris Saint Germain finishes.
The 20-year-old striker will spend the campaign with the French club and has made an impressive start, after scoring four times in as many games since joining PSG earlier this month.
Everton would not agree to the inclusion of an option to buy, in the terms of Kean's loan, and Ancelotti has confirmed he will return to the club in July because "this is what the contract says".
Ancelotti has not spoken with Kean since the move but has monitored his progress and says his run of scoring form is good for all parties.
“I didn't speak with him but I saw him score four goals in two games," he said.
"This is good. This is good for Paris Saint Germain, for him and for us also."
Asked if he expected Kean to return to Everton after his loan was finished, the Blues boss said: “This is what the contract says.
"We decided to allow him to go on loan, to play more, to have more opportunity to play more. He is showing his quality and he will be back next season.”
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Ancelotti, meanwhile, says now is the 'time for us to break this statistic', as Everton look to win a Premier League without Richarlison for the first time.
Richarlison has missed six leagues, either through injury or suspension, since joining the club and the Blues' record is drawn four, lost two.
The banned Brazilian misses Sunday's trip to Newcastle United and the home game with Manchester United next weekend.
Everton will also be without the suspended Lucas Digne as well the injured James Rodriguez and Seamus Coleman.
“I know this statistic but I can say two things: Richarlison is a really important player for us and the club and, second, it is time for us to win to break this statistic," Ancelotti said.
"Because this is the time. Richarlison is an important player and we have the possibility to replace him well maybe with different characteristics but with good players.
" So we don't want to focus too much on the fact that Richarlison is not here, that Digne is not here – we still have a good squad and if we do our best then we have the possibility to win.”
