IT’S quite an achievement for a striker to go from new signing to forgotten man within the space of a few months.
Particularly when the team in question is Everton FC, where fresh faces among the forward line have been as rare as Mark Clattenburg officiating at Goodison.
Yet so minimal has Denis Stracqualursi’s contribution been since his arrival from Tigre in the summer that many supporters could have blinked and missed the Argentine.
That, though, could be about to change.
Having been restricted to three brief substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, Stracqualursi was given an extended run from the bench with Everton trailing 1-0 to Norwich City last Saturday.
And the 24-year-old helped edge the game back in favour of the Goodison outfit with an encouraging display as Leon Osman netted a late equaliser.
With Everton having notched just 16 goals in 15 league games – only Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic have scored fewer – Moyes is keen to find a greater cutting edge in attack.
And the Goodison manager is considering turning to Stracqualursi.
“I watch him every day and I think he is edging towards it,” says Moyes. “I thought he did well coming on in the game and maybe the game suited him.
“I have got to try and work out the games I think I might need to use him, and Swansea could be one of them.”
Rumours have emanated from Stracqualursi’s homeland that Independiente could be preparing a move to take the forward back to Argentina.
But Moyes adds: “I’ve heard nothing about him going back to Argentina.”
Everton have not enjoyed the best of times against the promoted clubs so far this season, with the draw against Norwich following an opening-game defeat at home to Queens Park Rangers.
“We had Norwich just recently, we have already played QPR and have only taken a point from the two of them at home so we have to be very aware of Swansea,” adds Moyes.
“Swansea as a club have done great; Brendan Rodgers has come in and done remarkably well to get them promoted but Roberto (Martinez) was in for a while, Paulo Sousa was in for a bit and they have created an identity and style for the club.
