The premier league is just in its second week but there are signs already. We know Marco Bielsa Leeds united will likely survive the drop this season and Fulham may get relegated. Arsenal is also doing fine with Arteta’s Arsenal needing a late winner from Nketiah to see off Westham.
There is a team that could just surprise everyone to the league title and that team is Everton. Everton have been splashing the cash since Roberto Martinez era to Marco Silva but there’s no better signings than this present Carlo Ancelotti era.
The Italian got the job after Marco Silva sack and have instilled his style on the team. Signing Allan, Doucoure and James Rodriguez has changed the outlook of the team. A Everton side that relies on fast attack football is now keeping the ball well with the aim of unlocking the opposition defense with some through balls.
Ancelotti plays a dynamic formation which could be 4-3-3 and also 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. The first match against Tottenham saw a very energetic midfield with Allan everywhere. The Brazilian international is the key man in Ancelotti setup with Andre Gomes and Doucoure providing cover for him. The instruction is simple, Doucoure provides the box to box displays while Andre Gomes plays the simple passes and loose balls and Allan is the strongman in the middle.
In the attack, there is Richarlison, Dominic Calvert Lewin and James Rodriguez. Richarlison provides the dribbles, creates the chances, and look to get some goals himself. He mainly operates from the left wing. Calvert Lewin is the top 9 and in charge of hassling the defenders. He make sure there is no playing from the back while James Rodriguez supplies the killer passes, and look for goals himself.
This looks easy on paper but trust me it’s more than just saying but putting in some works in training. The defenders too are okay with Lucas Digne and Coleman providing some width. The only concern is the central back position where I think they lack some fast defenders. Both Keane and Mina are slow and may have problem against teams like Manchester united or Arsenal. Ancelotti also mentioned after the Westbrom game that Yerry Mina need to step up his game. Everton might still need to sign a new defender who is fast that can pair either Michael Keane or Yerry Mina at the back.
The match against Westbrom provided some insight into Ancelotti tactical style at Everton. Gibbs red card saw Carlo Ancelotti change the formation in-game which allowed James Rodriguez to play as a proper playmaker. That saw the Colombian international create some chances with one leading to a third assist. The over the defense pass saw Richarlison square it up for Calvert Lewin. He eventually got his own assist which was scored by Dominic Calvert Lewin who completed his hat trick.
The writings are on the wall and it’s left for anybody to decipher it. Everton won’t be push over this season and will have an eye on the cup. They will beat the smaller teams to position themselves in a good position against the top teams. Already, they have beaten Tottenham Hotspur away which is a good thing.
The only fear is injuries and that’s where the fringe players come in. They have Bernard, Walcott, Moise Kean, and Iwobi who can come in to replace the attackers.
They were there before the new players came and they will also play a part under Ancelotti.
The midfield also have the likes of Tom Davies, Sigurdsson, and Gbamin who can come in to replace the trio of Allan, Doucoure, and Andre Gomes. They can even start low stake matches and see out a comfortable win.
Ancelotti is not a novice to bringing struggling clubs up to par with the best in the league. He did it with PSG before their huge signings and with Real Madrid and will achieve success with Everton too.
Don’t underestimate Everton in the 2020-21 premier league title race.
