Everton: How Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is thriving after Chelsea exit

In lieu of an England debut, the Republic of Ireland have been in touch with Dewsbury-Hall because of his family heritage, and Everton captain Seamus Coleman has also asked him about making the switch.

“I see myself as English and have it in my head that I can play for England,” Dewsbury-Hall told Everton‘s club channels. “I don’t want to lead people on about what I want to do because I respect the Irish people and fans.

“I just want to give myself a chance to play for England, which is a lifelong dream. I’m playing for a massive club that’s on the up, and I still believe I can do it.”

That belief is backed by evidence. Dewsbury-Hall is Everton‘s joint-leading Premier League scorer this season, alongside Ndiaye, with four goals – as many as he managed in his previous 62 appearances combined for Leicester, Chelsea and the Toffees.

His two assists put him joint top for goal involvements with Ndiaye and Grealish, while only Grealish has created more chances and won possession more often in the final third for Everton in the league this season.

Dewsbury-Hall has created more chances, won possession more and made more tackles in the league this season than England’s recently used number 10s, including Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Gibbs-White and Palmer.

Palmer and Bellingham have both had injuries, but only Foden has scored more goals (six) and only Rogers has more assists (three) than Dewsbury-Hall.

“His performances will have already alerted Thomas Tuchel,” said Osman, who made 437 appearances in central midfield for Everton.

“James Garner and Grealish are trying to get into the England team as well, but Dewsbury-Hall’s performances in recent weeks have probably made him the outstanding candidate.

“When you’re talking about going into tournament football, you’ve got a player that can cover three or four roles and be outstanding in any of them.”

Additional reporting by Matthew Hobbs.