New Everton signing Denis Stracqualursi believes he can follow in the footsteps of compatriot Carlos Tevez and become a prolific Premier League marksman for the Toffees.
PA PhotosDenis Stracqualursi signed for Everton from Tigres on deadline day
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Stracqualursi, 23, has been watching from afar as Tevez has lit up the English top flight for Manchester United and Manchester City over the past few years, with the Eastlands star winning the Golden Boot along with Dimitar Berbatov last season.
And with with fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero also enjoying an impressive start to life in the Premier League, Stracqualursi is confident he can be another South American success story after arriving from Tigres on deadline day.
“As a forward I have watched Tevez very closely,” Stracqualursi said. “I saw the way he went about the task at West Ham and the two Manchester clubs and I would like to think I can copy that model.
“He is an icon at all those clubs. It is all about dying for the shirt, sweating for the club, trying really hard to settle in and being ready physically.
“I have to prove myself to the manager, my team-mates and supporters that I can do it at this level in England. I know it is going to be difficult but I want to start repaying the confidence of the manager in bringing me to the club.”
While Tevez provides an example for Stracqualursi to strive towards, the English football careers of compatriots Mauro Boselli and Juan Sebastian Veron – players who failed miserably to live up to their hype – can act as a warning for the striker.
But Stracqualursi is adamant that he will be able to handle the rigours of the Premier League, highlighting his 6ft 3in frame as a potential asset in a physical division.
“I think my style will suit England,” Stracqualursi said. “Players are quite powerful and strong and football is played quite a bit in the air and I am pretty good in the air.
“I had a pretty good season in terms of goalscoring in a team which was fighting to stay alive at the highest level and I have never been one to shy away from targets.
“I’ll be trying to score as many goals as possible to help Everton have as good a campaign as possible. I don’t think there is any extra pressure. I am a reasonably confident guy and I see it as a challenge to fight for my place.”