Everton manager David Moyes has hinted that he will look to deploy Marouane Fellaini in a more advanced midfield role.
The Belgian has predominately been positioned with a defensive mindset since his big-money move in 2008, although his manager is of the belief that his long-term position is further up the field.
Tim Cahill has long featured in the role, but Moyes has suggested that Fellaini could become the 32-year-old s successor.
Marouane is probably seen as more of a defensive midfield player, Moyes told the club s official website.
But he s far better when he s joining in and getting forward because he can do a bit of everything.
He plays for Belgium as one of a three-man midfield. For us, we ve tended to play with two midfield players and one ahead in the main, that has been Tim.
But I ve always known that Marouane can do that job. We had just been looking at the right time to do that.
The 24-year-old has been a mainstay of the Everton side in recent seasons and Moyes is hoping his midfielder can replicate the performance he produced during the 4-4 draw against Manchester United at the back-end of last season where he ventured forward to join the attack.
Marouane s performance against Manchester United was excellent, but I thought he has been in near enough all games, he said.
He s been needing to add a goal or two to his game because when he first came he got 10, I think.
He just needs to add a little bit more and his goal against United, his all-round play, even his setting up for the fourth goal for Steven (Pienaar) would have given him a lot of confidence.
It s difficult to put him into any one box. He s got a goal in him, he does get forward and causes problems, but he s also very good at breaking the game up and doing other things. He s quite good at both jobs.
Despite joining for 15 million pounds four years ago, Everton s record signing, Moyes believes the club s supporters are only now seeing the best the former Standard Liege man has to offer.
You can see Marouane s enjoyed his football much more in the last three or four months, said the Everton boss.
Young players mature. The decisions you make as a young player are sometimes different than when you get a bit older.
His form has been good. He s been getting us a couple of goals in recent games, and long may that continue.
