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Everton legend lauds underrated man in Ancelotti’s Everton

By Parth Jhaveri

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Allan and Dominic Clavert Lewin of Everton celebrate at the end of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on September 26, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Allan and Dominic Clavert Lewin of Everton celebrate at the end of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on September 26, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Former Everton player Nigel Martyn has lauded new signing Allan.

“Big Nige” has arguably been the best Everton keeper after Neville Southall. Nigel Martyn was regarded as the best signing by former Toffees coach David Moyes. The goalkeeper was a fan favourite and became a household name despite the Englishman spending just 3 seasons in Merseyside. A lot of former players have been thrilled to see an uprising Everton under Carlo Ancelotti’s managership.

Nigel Martyn has lauded new signing Allan and also compared him to Lee Carsley, Nigel’s teammate during for 3 years. Martyn thinks that Allan’s contributions have often gone under the radar and is a key player in the midfield.

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"I like Allan. Goes under the radar but breaks up a lot of play, doing a bit of the Lee Carsley role from my time there!They’re the players other players appreciate a heck of a lot, they do a lot of the running, tackling, the nastier side of the game, the selfless running.He’s been really good; his passing is decent as well. He’s impressed me quite a lot. Midfield-wise, they look a stronger outfit than they were last year. (via Liverpool ECHO)"

I echo with Martyn’s words. Allan has been a welcome addition to a soulless midfield. Last season, the midfield comprising of Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes disappointed massively. None of the players fitted into the holding midfield role and looked uncomfortable when forced to carry out those duties.

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The Royal Blues needed a natural holding midfielder and Allan is exactly what they needed. Allan’s one of the best CDM’s right now and his defensive stats attest the notion. He averages 4 tackles per game, 1.2 interceptions per game and 2.4 dribbles per game. (via SofaScore)

He can effectively break down the opposition and also steer away from them to start an attack. The £25 million paid for him look like one of the best investments in recent times.

Martyn also gave his views on Hollywood signing James Rodriguez:

"The addition of Rodriguez, from the outside, I was a bit pensive. Great player, great World Cup, going to Real Madrid, perhaps he would have been hoping to go bigger so you often worry about that type of signing.The things that I’m looking for is chasing back, lost possession and [not just waiting] for somebody else to do his work. [But he has been] working back as well, which shows he’s keen to find a new home."

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The new signings Allan and James Rodriguez have transformed Everton in the midfield and attack respectively and the early signs give loads of optimism to the Royal Blue camp.

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