Everton have been on a tear since David Moyes returned as manager after 12 years away from the club. The biggest beneficiary of the change in manager has been Guinea-Bissau striker Beto. The former Udinese player had previously struggled since joining the club for a £26m transfer fee.
How Beto Has Improved Under David Moyes
Beto’s Lackluster First Seasons Under Sean Dyche
Since transferring from Serie A the Portuguese-born player scored just four goals in his first 44 games for the club. Under Sean Dyche, he was never given a run of games as a starter. His longest streak in the starting lineup came in his first three matches in the Premier League.
When Beto played it was clear that the team didn’t have the tactics to suit his style. This is evident by looking back at his goals for Udinese. Many of which were scored, with him running onto the ball.
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But Everton played very differently, as their starting striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a back-to-goal and one-touch finisher. So in the limited minutes towards the end of games that Beto was provided the team played to DCL’s strengths rather than the player on the pitch.
How Beto Has Improved Under David Moyes
Everton started playing to his game. It has been as simple as that for the striker. Five goals in a four-game stretch before their Brentford match has been the most prolific rate from a Toffee striker in recent memory.
Despite his less-than-stellar performance against Brentford, where he missed multiple one on ones with the keeper, he is still proving he could be the Toffees striker going forward.
There has been a clear direction for midfielders to play passes in behind. Three of his five goals in this stretch of form have come from a pass through the lines.
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Beto has credited Moyes for putting trust in him and building his confidence and the team. In an interview with Men in Blazers he stated that the Scot told him to “play your (Beto) strengths game, play for your strengths, we need you”.
It is a look into Moyes as a manager. While the tactics change may not have been drastic he has instilled a newfound belief at Goodison Park.
