Marco Silva has called on Everton's fans to refrain from comparing new signing Moise Kean to former Blues forward Romelu Lukaku.
The Blues completed the signing of Kean from Juventus for an initial £29m during the summer, although the forward could end up costing £37m with add-ons.
The 19-year-old was one of seven new signings secured by Silva and Marcel Brands this summer, but many in people's eyes Kean was arguably the most important.
Scoring goals has been a problem for the Blues since losing Lukaku to Manchester United in the summer of 2017, with the club trying and failing to replace the Belguim.
Kean is described by many in the footballing world as being one of the hottest young prospects in Europe, with Evertonians hoping the former Juve star can become the prolific goalscorer the club have long craved.
But Silva is urging his side's supporters not to hail their new recruit as the next Lukaku.
“You have to be calm and don’t start making these comparisons,” Silva said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“Moise Kean is Moise Kean and Lukaku is Lukaku. Cenk is Cenk, Dominic is Dominic and Richarlison is Richarlison.
"It doesn’t make sense to make these comparisons. We are happy he’s here with us and the boy is also happy to be in our football club.
“Now it’s up to him to keep working hard and do the things I expect from him and our fans expect from him.
“The comparisons are not fair on him. He’s 19 years old and it’s unfair to put this pressure on him.”
Kean is so far yet to start for his new side, but after impressing off the bench against Watford last weekend, the Everton boss has now revealed that the Italy international is ready to start from the off if needed.
Silva said: “If you’re asking me if he’s fit to play 90 minutes, then I don’t see reasons why not.
“He didn’t play one pre-season match. Even with his former club, he didn’t play a pre-season game, only some training sessions with the Under-23s and then full sessions with the first team after.
“He looks fit to play more time if I decide he’s able to do so.”
