Nantong Zhiyun striker Joao Silva has admitted he ‘thought he was going to make it’ at Everton, only for lack of opportunity to ruin his chances.
Silva signed for Everton back in 2010, joining in a £630,000 deal from Portuguese side Aves as Everton looked to build for the future.
With money not quite as available at Goodison Park back then as it is now, there was hope Silva, who managed 13 goals in his first season as a professional the year before, could be a star in years to come.
That, though, did not end up happening, with the young striker failing to make a single first-team appearance for the club, instead managing a measly ten appearances for the Under 23s before leaving for Levski Sofia in 2012.
His career has taken a winding path since then, with him turning out for clubs in Italy, Portugal and now China.
It could have been very different for a man who once had his shot at Premier League football, and looking back; he believes he simply wasn’t given a chance.
“I think I lacked opportunity,” he told A Bola.
“My first year as a senior went well, I scored 14 goals, got called up to the Under-20s, and that’s when Everton showed up.
“I was excited because my characteristics fit in with the English style of play, and I thought I’d do well. I felt ready for it.
“Since I wasn’t playing, I was loaned to UD Leiria in January. I scored four goals, I scored for Benfica, and I remember David Moyes, the coach, praising me after that game.
“I thought I was going to make it at Everton, but everything stayed the same. I had some very strong competitors, international football stars.
“Everton didn’t play with so many forwards either; they had a different tactic, a set of situations that didn’t help.”
