Marco Silva admits he is encouraged by Jonjoe Kenny’s loan spell at Schalke.
The Kirkdale-born defender, 22, agreed to a season-long stint away from Everton in order to pursue a regular run of first-team football with the Bundesliga outfit.
In first four months at the Veltins Arena, Kenny has already equalled last term’s 13 appearances in all competitions for the Blues while also opening his account.
Silva is already reaping the benefits of experience gained by Mason Holgate following his own brief spell away from Goodison Park earlier this year.
And the Everton manager believes the strides that Kenny is making with David Wagner’s side in the German top flight will stand him in similarly good stead.
“We took the decision we did last summer because we believe in him,” said Silva.
“In the last two seasons Jonjoe didn’t play [more than] 40 games for Everton but played a very good number. Now he’s playing often week in and week out.
“In the future, we are here to talk again [with Jonjoe] to take the best decisions for us and him as well.”
He added: “We felt was a good opportunity for him overall.
“It’s a very strong competition where he is playing, in a high level, and a different environment as well.
“Everything is important, what he’s feeling now – not just on the pitch, off it as well. For sure we will see Jonjoe growing as a player and as a man.
“I’m really happy to see him playing and playing well.”