Mason Holgate believes Nikola Vlasic's speed in adapting to Premier League life is a big boost for the Blues.
The Croatian arrived on transfer deadline day in August, the same month in which he played against Everton for Hajduk Split in both legs of a Europa League play-off.
The winger, 20, has since made six appearances for the Toffees and earned the praise of manager Ronald Koeman for his performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Brighton and Hove Albion.
An unused substitute in both games against Split, Holgate says that didn’t stop Vlasic catching his eye - and he has been encouraged by the way his teammate has continued that form since moving to Goodison Park.
“He is a really good player and we saw that when we played against him,” said the defender, also 20. “There was a lot of excitement when we signed him.
“I think he’s adapting well to the Premier League, he’s strong and he showed that on Sunday. He played really well.”
Taking aim from an acute angle, the Doncaster-born youngster got his effort on target but couldn’t find a way past the Seagulls' Australian stopper.
Anthony Knockaert later put the hosts in front but Everton rescued a point when Wayne Rooney converted from the penalty spot in the final minute.
“I’m due one, aren’t I?” Holgate added. “I’m not in there to score goals but if I can pop up with one it will help so hopefully something will drop in soon.
“I felt we reacted well to going one down and once we got the equaliser we wanted to get more.
“Going behind, a lot of people would have written us off at that point. But we showed character and once we scored we carried on putting the pressure on.
“It’s never easy to score away in the Premier League but we put a lot of pressure on towards the end of the game and I think it’s just the luck we have at the moment that it doesn’t seem to drop for us.
“We had a big chance at the end and maybe on another day that goes in, we win 2-1 and it’s a completely different story.”
