Carlo Ancelotti’s search for quality that can improve his side this summer might now see Everton complete smashing deals for Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez and Napoli’s Allan in the coming days.
TalkSPORT claim that Rodriguez will undergo a medical with the English club later this week. The Colombian will also be joined by Brazilian midfielder Allan, who is set to complete a €24m move to Merseyside this summer.
James Rodriguez adds goals and creativity to the side while Allan will add defensive cover, making Everton a balanced side.
Both players have previously worked with Ancelotti, who is expected to start them regularly. But how could Everton’s midfield look with the new signings integrated?
Here are the various ways Ancelotti could lineup Everton’s midfield next season:
Flat Midfield
For most of last season, Ancelotti stuck with a 4-4-2 system which saw young Tom Davies play in the defensive midfield role alongside Andre Gomes, who added some creativity and fluidity to the side in the middle of the park. This allowed Everton to have both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison start in attack.
If Ancelotti decides to stick with a similar system, Allan could replace Andre Gomes alongside Davies. Allan will make Everton stronger at the back but his vision and skill set will also make the transition from defence to attack easier for the Toffees.
This could see Rodriguez play in a support striker’s role, with Richarlison used on the wing. Bernard and Walcott may have to share first-team chances next season, while Calvert-Lewin will continue to lead the line, in the event that they don’t upgrade that area of the pitch. This is a system that can test even the best of teams in the league.
Double Pivot
Ancelotti was not shy of using a 4-2-3-1 system last season also. He used the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Fabian Delph in the deeper midfield roles but the former is no longer at the club and the latter is past his prime and is likely to only be an option off the bench.
Allan will walk straight into the first team and Ancelotti might have Davies in this role, similar to his 4-4-2 system. However, this formation will bring the best out of Rodriguez. The Real Madrid man is a natural no.10 and is one of the best in his role in Europe. He has loads of experience and can control the game from that position.
He can create chances, will add goals to the side and could be a real asset in this role next season. He will have Richarlison, Walcott, Bernard and even Gylfi Sigurdsson, all of who can support him in attack on the flanks. James Rodriguez is a world-class player and Ancelotti should play him in his preferred position for the most impact.
Three Man Midfield
Ancelotti also used a 4-1-4-1 system, which could also be exciting for the Everton fans. Fabian Delph was usually used in the deepest of roles in such a system but Tom Davies will be a decent option, more so with Allan in the team.
Allan can play in one of the advanced midfield roles, lending balance to the Everton side. He will have James Rodriguez alongside him in the midfield, who adds creativity as well to Ancelotti’s plans. This is a slightly risky system but Ancelotti might have to use such a formation playing against deep blocks.
Teams struggling at the bottom of the table will set up to frustrate a free-flowing side like Everton and in such a scenario, the 4-1-4-1 system could be a game-changer.
From the available data, we can safely assume Ancelotti is close to signing two impact players who are sure to improve the side irrespective of where they play. But where do you think is their best position?
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