This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Pundit Noel Whelan believes now is the time for Cenk Tosun to shine with Everton.

The 28-year-old started his first league game of the season prior to the international break and looks to have worked his way back into Marco Silva's plans.

What did he say?

Tosun has struggled to nail down a regular role at Everton, starting just 10 Premier League games for the club last season. Plus, since his move to Merseyside, the Turkey international has bagged only 10 goals for the Toffees and failed to justify the £27m price tag.

Whelan told Football Insider: "What you’re seeing is a change in attitude. We keep talking about off-the-field, people who aren’t doing it, contract disputes, we’re talking about how you need fight within a side – he’s obviously fighting for his place and that’s great to see.

"It’s refreshing to see and the manager will reward that hard work and attitude from players. He’s a great player, he’s got the European Championships to look forward to with Turkey, so he’s one of these players you would hope that when he went to Everton, he would shine.

"He’s had a difficult spell, he’s not hit the heights that everyone expected him to but he’s obviously worked hard enough on the training ground and he’s being rewarded for that. He’s a great striker and if you give him the right service, he’ll score goals. It’s his time to shine and to try and take that."

Proven ability

Tosun has proven in his homeland that he can be a great addition to a side like Everton. The striker bagged 20 league goals for Besiktas back in 2016/17, and this proved to be one of the main reasons the club lifted the title that year.

Also, there is the fact that other names up top for Silva have not exactly been pulling their weight.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have just six league goals between them and wingers such as Theo Walcott have barely looked like scoring.

Now is the time for Tosun to make his mark on this team and it has come at a vital stage in Everton's season.