Before Sam Allardyce was parachuted into Goodison Park to use his overly cautious style to 'save' an Everton side that would likely have survived relegation regardless, Ronald Koeman's Toffees revolution turned sour.
Summer optimism turned to autumn despair as it swiftly became apparent that the Dutch legend had purchased two many players in the same mould.
That in turn meant that Everton were unable to unlock any invention or craft; their raft of number tens all wished to operate in the same areas and while the side was crying out for pace and dynamism, the options available were sub-standard.
The return from injury of Yannick Bolasie and the January purchase of Theo Walcott went some way to rectifying that but more is still needed if Silva is to oversee the Goodison revolution he has been brought in to achieve.
So, Football FanCast has taken a look at four potential pacy forward options that the former Watford manager could turn to in order to rejuvenate his stagnant frontline...
Richarlison
It was Silva who gambled on bringing the Brazilian forward to Vicarage Road last summer and he hit the ground running as the Hornets rampaged up the table.
However, Richarlison ran out of steam around the turn of the year - around the time Silva's head was turned by Everton - and never recovered even under Javi Gracia.
It is little surprise that Silva has been linked with a reunion with the man who Transfermarkt value at £22.5m - he could well be the man to draw out Richarlison's best form on a consistent basis.
Danny Welbeck
Welbeck has just one year left on his Arsenal deal and is reportedly among the most at risk as Unai Emery seeks to trim his bloated Gunners squad after a summer of early-window investment.
He is also reportedly on Silva's radar with one eye on a cut-price deal, especially if Emery decides that returning loanee Lucas Perez should jump ahead of him in the pecking order.
Welbeck is much derided but there is plenty of evidence on the side of the case for the defence; he only struggled to reach his potential due to injury, he is a diligent runner, tactically clever, with good international and Champions League experience to boot.
He can play through the middle or on either flank and would be a smart - if unfashionable - purchase who need not cost the earth.
Malcom
Bordeaux wideman Malcom is another player Everton have been linked with, and it would be another gamble from Silva on a player with no Premier League experience.
However, he is one of the hottest prospects in Ligue 1, with pace to burn and an impressive eye for goal and he could well be another Richarlison.
An unknown quantity could add something extra to Silva's Goodison revolution and he could prove to be worth every penny.
Marcus Rashford (on loan)
One man who has not been linked with Everton is Marcus Rashford, but he would be quite the coup if Silva could get him on a season-long loan deal.
Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial all offer competition out wide and Romelu Lukaku looks immovable through the middle, so there is little sign that the England international will get more gametime in 2018/19.
If Everton could offer the United academy graduate the promise of regular games out on the left, he could well be tempted and what a statement of intent it would be...