'I'm wary of saying' - Arnaut Danjuma analyses big change that will improve Everton
Arnaut Danjuma believes that better times lie ahead for Everton after the signing of Beto
Arnaut Danjuma reckons the arrival of Beto can have a massive impact on Everton’s attack.
Just 24 hours after completing his £25.8million transfer from Udinese, the Portuguese striker came off the bench to make his Blues bow in the 2-1 Carabao Cup comeback win at Doncaster Rovers last Wednesday – netting the equaliser – before making his full debut in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United three days later. With the towering 6ft 4in target man alongside him, Danjuma scored on both occasions and the on-loan Villarreal player is hoping his new team-mate will help give Sean Dyche’s side plenty of added bite up front.
He told evertonfc.com: “Progress is definitely being made and I think the addition of Beto helps us massively as well – he’s physical, his effort is always fantastic and people around him feed off that. It’s early days but I’m already really enjoying working with him because it's great to work off a striker like him.
“We also have some quality players still to come back into the squad soon after some injuries. The competitiveness will increase as a result of that, which I think is very good for us. The more competitive the environment is, the more eager people are to be at their best and it always helps with getting the finer details spot on.
“I am really happy to be an Everton player and I am so committed to the process I’m talking about. I’m happy that I’m starting to score some goals now and I’ll be working to make sure there are a lot more to come.”
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Although the Blues secured their first Premier League point of the season at Bramall Lane, Danjuma admits the team need to stop coming away from matches feeling they should have done more. He said: “As the international break begins, we can quickly reflect and I think there has been an all-too common feeling so far this season of, 'We should have won this game' – against Fulham, against Wolves and again against Sheffield United on Saturday.
“We need to get rid of that. On one side, it's good because we know we're nearly there but on the flip side it's about results and we know we have to make those happen.
“But there are definitely good elements to build upon. Against Sheffield United I felt like we were the better team and we had a lot of chances. We took the game on from the very beginning but this is the highest level of football and games get decided on details.
"We should have got three points but it was important to get one in the end, but I wouldn't call it a ‘reward’ – for us it's all about winning. We want to win matches but must take the positives and make sure we build on it when the games return after the international break.”
The Dutch international added: “It was nice to be on the scoresheet after getting my first for the club in the Carabao Cup last week. We know with Patts (Nathan Patterson) that he has a good cross.
“Ian Woan told me at half-time against Sheffield United to make sure I was getting myself in at the back post because there was space there – and, thankfully, I was there to score the goal, so that is pleasing. I’m feeling better and better all the time.
“I know the club has had two difficult seasons and, honestly, this is a process. We’re still early in the season and I'm wary of saying that because, of course, you want to start as you mean to go on, but it is a process and we're building things and it's about fine-tuning the details.
“We want to be at the point where we kill games off. We've been getting a lot right - not that part, but I believe we are nearly there in terms of converting these performances into wins.”
After rejecting a move to Everton in January after Tottenham Hotspur hijacked the deal at the 11th hour, Danjuma – who spoke about how Blues fans “impressed” him when it “felt like 40,000 people were screaming in my ear” when he was warming up along the touchline during Spurs’ 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in April – has reiterated his desire to feed off the passion of the supporters. He said: “It really is an amazing feeling to be playing in front of Evertonians – finally!
“As I’ve said before, I felt like I already had a bit of history with the club before joining here because of my journey to get here. I’m extra grateful for the fans giving me the support they have done, I truly am.
“I can feel it. I buzz off it and I feed off it.
“I know – as well as the rest of the group – that you have our backs, no matter what. I am very happy to give them something back for the support they have been giving and I'm only looking to give more and more as we look ahead.
“Thank you for your incredible support so far. Now let's kick on together.”