Ancelotti’s cold shoulder to Everton man can spark January exit talks

Bernard exit looks increasingly imminent after lack of game time at Everton.

Bernard arrived at Everton in 2018 and was immediately being seen as a major coup after his exploits at Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2017-18 season. The joy was further fueled by the fact that he had arrived on a free transfer. Everton now had a diminutive Brazilian capable of being the creative hub of the team. Many thought he was similar to the Liverpool’s departed star Philippe Coutinho- Brazilian, right footed and creative genius.

Three years later, Bernard is struggling to get his name on the team sheet. Carlo Ancelotti seems to have downgraded him as a fringe player, only to be called up when wholesale squad rotation is done. Is it because Bernard has failed to convince Ancelotti of his abilities?

On the contrary, he has performed on a higher level this season in the game he has played, especially the Fleetwood game. Accepted that it was against a much smaller and a weaker opponent than a robust Premier League side but a key change of allowing him to operate slightly centrally has done the trick for the 28 year old.

Under Marco Silva, the Brazilian was hinged to the left wing which restricted him on using the central space to show his abundant creativity. This season, Ancelotti has given him the license to drift inwards which has resulted in him being more lethal and effective.

So, despite improving his game why does Bernard not make it to the team sheet regularly or why is he often ignored in favour of Alex Iwobi? The answer is straight and simple. Whatever he brings on the table, is already being offered by someone else in a well functioning team.

Speed: Bernard carries a decent amount of pace and agility but Everton already have Richarlison who can provide both. In fact, the 23 year old is better in the other areas too giving him the edge over Bernard.

The former Shakhtar man is a profound creator and a quick, quality ball-carrying dribbler, capable of creating plentiful of chances in the final third. But he doesn’t come anywhere close to James Rodriguez in chance creation and midfield imagination in the final third.

From what is being evident so far, the 28 year old would be more suited in a formation like 4-2-3-1 but with Everton flourishing in a 4-3-3, why fix something that isn’t broken. So switching to a new formation just to accommodate Bernard seems to be a senseless proposition.

Ancelotti leaving the Brazilian out of the matchday squad or keeping him as an unused substitute could spark January exit talks. There have already been murmurs of Bernard trying to arrange an exit on deadline day with AS Roma excited to acquire the 28 year old’s services.

Another recent report from Daily Mail said that Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal also tried to sign Bernard but the former Shakhtar man rejected the switch. The lack of game time could instigate Bernard into thinking over his future and push for an Everton exit.

It remains it be seen whether Ancelotti does include the Brazilian in his plans in the next few games as Richarlison is suspended for the next 3 games. If Bernard doesn’t still make the cut, January exit looks more imminent than ever.