Everton manager Sam Allardyce is going to give midfielder Idrissa Gueye the maximum opportunity to be fit to face Manchester City this evening. This means a late fitness test for the Senegal international before Allardyce names his team.
Speaking to evertonfc.com, the Everton boss talked of the scale of the challenge facing the Blues as they take on the Premier League champions in waiting.
"“We’ve got a big test in front of us,” said Allardyce. “It’s the biggest challenge yet but it’s one we really look forward to on the basis that we’ve come off back-to-back wins against Brighton and Stoke.“We have to be in a positive frame of mind to get out and challenge yourself against them and say, ‘We can challenge them and, on any given day, get a result against them’.“Gana will be assessed as late as tomorrow morning given it’s a 5.30pm kick-off. We’ll give him the next 24 hours and see what the position is because our midfield area is quite light because of the injuries we’ve got.”"
Given Gueye’s importance to Everton providing defensive cover in the middle of the park, let’s hope he makes it.
So being optimistic and say he is declared fit, this is the team I think Allardyce should pick for today’s match.
Goalkeeper:
Jordan Pickford
Full-backs:
Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines
Centre-backs:
Mason Holgate, Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane
Midfield:
Idrissa Gueye, Wayne Rooney
Forwards:
Theo Walcott, Cenk Tosun, Yannick Bolasie
I have gone with three at the back for this match because as mentioned in an earlier article it would give additional defensive cover out wide where City are so dangerous. If the outside centre halves do get pulled out there Jagielka can still provide cover in the middle.
Although Everton might seem a little light in the centre of midfield, Rooney will work hard and can certainly help Gueye defensively.
Also as Coleman and Baines are likely to push forward they will provide additional support and natural width in the middle.
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Rooney’s role will also be crucial in helping the Blues keep hold of the ball as much as possible. This is vital against a team like City who have so much possession as once you lose the ball it might be quarter of an hour before you see it again!
It’s important too that he doesn’t try to play too many longer hopeful passes, keeping it tight and linking up with the forward players effectively. Hopefully Tosun’s physical presence and work rate will unsettle the City defenders.
As for the wide men Walcott and Bolasie, they need to try to exploit the space behind City’s attacking full-backs as much as possible and press the City centre halves in possession at every opportunity.
Next: How can Blues beat City?
Finally Everton simply must take their chances today. If they can get hold of the ball in the last third, Everton will have openings but it’s critical whoever they fall to has to find the back of the net.