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Everton’s LCM problem(THREAD)
Despite Everton’s attempts to fix the midfield from last season with the signings of Allan and Doucoure the midfield is still presenting an issue, specifically in LCM. This issue at LCM is having an effect on the team since Allan has to step out affecting the sides balance.
Everton’s LCM is the highest of the midfield 3 and has two primary roles these being to cover the space vacated by Lucas Digne and to also play in Richarlison. Neither Andre Gomes or Gylfi Sigurdsson have been particularly effective at either role. Giving Ancelotti an issue.
Gomes as the natural CM should be able to cover Dignes vacated space easier but a combination of a lack of mobility and what appears to be naivety in the tackle giving away needless fouls, makes it so this isn’t the case. He’s also to safe in possession to have impact on games.
As a AM. Sigurdsson is more capable of creating something, boasting a higher Xa,but most of his chance creation is from set pieces. As a natural AM his defensive side was never going to be impressive which is only compounded by his lack of mobility,making it easy to bypass him.
I made two graphs comparing Gomes and Sigurdsson to “top 6” midfielders who have made at least two starts on the left of midfield. They show up average on the defensive graph(slightly skewed because pressures varies due to tactics) and offensively Andre Gomes is awful.
The graphs make them look relatively average defensively but the graph doesn’t give a full indication. It doesn’t show how they do when someone runs at them(not well is the answer). It also doesn’t show how many fouls they give away( a lot).
There could be a couple of short term solutions on the table for Ancelotti until we get to the January market. One of them being giving Alex Iwobi a run of games in this position. Iwobi has started well to the season and is a more penetrative passer than both Gomes and Gylfi...
...In open play giving Everton more of an edge in the final 3rd of the pitch. With the appropriate cover he can be ok defensively as well,as shown by last seasons derby where he spent a lot of the game as practically a second RB to help Seamus with the threat of Mane
Another option is having Godfrey moved to his original position of DM and take advantage of his physicality and ability on the ball and move Allan to LCM where he played a lot of the time at Napoli which is what brought him a lot of the attention and praise he got.
Conclusion: These next two months will be a lot of patch work on the left side of midfield. The return of Richarlison on that side will definitely help due to the defensive work and energy he provides tracking back.
Hopefully in January Isco comes and gets rid of the headache
Hopefully in January Isco comes and gets rid of the headache
