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BBC Sport commentator Noel Whelan has claimed Everton striker Moise Kean is yet to show "anything special" in Royal Blue since swapping Turin for Merseyside in the summer, and doubts whether the Italian youngster can be their long-sought-after 20-goals-a-season centre-forward.

What's he said?

Kean joined Everton from Juventus in the summer for a potential £27.5million, but has not yet managed to score under Marco Silva.

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He had struck an impressive six goals in 536 minutes of Serie A football last season for a hit rate of one every 89.3 minutes, per WhoScored, despite rarely starting under Massimiliano Allegri.

Of his nine shots on goal for the Toffees, thus far, five came against Sheffield United when his side were beaten 2-0 at home. He also recorded four unsuccessful touches against the Blades.

The Italian youngster has not been able to solidify his claim to the starting role in Silva's plans since leaving Turin, either, with the Portuguese head coach instead returning to his previously favoured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Whelan feels Kean's underwhelming form has been key to Everton's struggles and is hesitant to praise the 19-year-old.

Speaking with Football Insider, the former Leeds United forward said:

"They’ve got a lot of flair in midfield and down the wings, but they’re lacking that potent striker. And if they had sorted that out [in the summer], they probably wouldn’t be in the position they are now because Kean to me looks average.

"He hasn’t shown anything special to me, yet, to suggest he’s their number nine, he’s their main striker that can get 20-goals-a-season."

Potential is still to be unlocked

Kean was billed as a rising star of Italian football before his move to Everton in the summer for a reason, and it was because he was seen as one of the most exciting young players around through his powerful and skilful talents that were starting to come to the fore in senior football.

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He has now played 50 first-team games across his spells with the Toffees, the Old Lady and a loan stint with Hellas Verona, but it is clear that Kean still has potential to be unlocked, and Silva is struggling to do so.

The Portuguese used Calvert-Lewin more as a target man toward the end of last season, with the former England U21 international's physicality called upon to shield the ball until Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison were in positions to cause havoc.

This style is not necessarily a match for that of Kean's, whose pace remains a more fundamental asset. Silva must find a way to merge the two for the striker's transfer to be a success and Whelan's fears to ease.