Everton boss Sam Allardyce believes £26m star striker is not fit enough to play in the Premier League.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce has stated that Cenk Tosun is not fit enough to play in the Premier League.
The former England international manager believes Tosun – who was one of the star performers in the UEFA Champions League – currently doesn’t have the fitness levels required from a Premier League side.
Allardyce stated that while Tosun’s fitness levels may have been acceptable in Turkey, they are not up to scratch for Everton.
“It is a struggle in the Premier League,” Allardyce stated at the post-game press conference when asked about Tosun’s absence.
“They [Fitness levels] were up to scratch when he was playing but there is more demand at this level to get to the level and show the ability he has got.
“There is no doubting his goal-scoring ability but you have to have the capabilities to get in those positions to score those goals and that is the hard bit.
“It is not unusual to see a centre-forward struggle when they first come we have seen many, many over the years do that.
“You have seen as many as I have.”
Tosun has started Everton’s last three games on the bench. The Turkey international striker was an unused substitute during Everton’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Allardyce’s side moved up into ninth spot with 34 points in the Premier League following their weekend win.
Everton take on Watford FC in their next Premer League fixture on February 24.
