Everton’s predicted lineup vs Fulham: Richarlison back, James Rodriguez to shine

Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure have become a mainstay in the Everton midfield.

Centre-Midfield: Abdoulaye Doucoure

While he hasn’t had the best start to life in Liverpool, Doucoure is obviously a very talented player and his physical presence is very important to the way Everton play. I think the problem for him has been that he would probably like to get forward more than he has been able to due to Ancelotti’s system.

I feel like a deep-lying playmaker is a role that could suit him well, but he still needs to lose those box-to-box tendencies that have caused him to get caught out of position a few times, but due to his physical talents he usually can recover and win the ball back.

Ancelotti can probably mould the 27-year old into a very dangerous player, but he just needs to get used to life in Merseyside which is expected since he went from being a key player at Watford to more of a supporting role for the Toffees.

This game against Fulham could also allow Ancelotti to test using Doucoure in the role that Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes have been playing, but personally, I don’t think that’s what the Italian will do because I do think Ancelotti has a squad in mind and Doucoure doesn’t fit the mould of player that Ancelotti wants to play that more attacking central midfield role.

Centre-Midfield: Allan

Even though there were some concerns after Allan was substituted in Brazil’s game against Venezuela and Brazil’s manager Tite confirmed the Brazilian had picked up a knock in the game. It seems we don’t have anything to worry about since Carlo confirmed in a press conference that Allan is fit which means he’ll more than likely start for the blues.

Allan’s defensive ability is vital to Everton’s midfield. Having him as a safety net in front of the defence makes us much more solid, he’s a pit bull who’s willing to get dirty to win the ball back and he also has the ability to dribble and play a ball to develop the play.

Allan’s one problem recently has been that he seems to have picked up a few knocks which has to have fans questioning his fitness when Allan is fully fit he’s already one of the better defensive midfielders in the Premier League, but the problem is that will we see a fit Allan due to him being on international duty or will he be a bit lethargic after a long flight and some injury concerns.

I think Allan’s ability to win the ball and drive it forwards will trouble Fulham who, in my opinion, don’t have a very strong midfield which could lead to people like Allan having a very good game, being able to dominate the midfield, which Allan has proven he has the ability to do.

Allan is in my top 3 for players who could take home the Man of the Match award in this game. 

Centre-Midfield: Alex Iwobi

This one may cause some controversy for Evertonians. Iwobi has been a constant underperformer for Everton, but I feel that one reason for that is he’s been played as a winger instead of a central midfielder or a number 10, which personally I think is his natural position.

I think the game against Manchester United proved that he’s a talented player when played in his natural position, and I feel like with poor performances from Gomes and Sigurdsson, that a player like Iwobi has a perfect chance to step up and show why the club paid almost £35 million for the Nigerian attacking midfielder.

Against a side like Fulham, having a player like Iwobi who has good technical ability and can drive the ball forward will be very useful. The problem with Iwobi has always been how long he would hold onto the ball and on the wing that would lead to him being closed down quickly, which lead to him not having enough room to manoeuvre, but in a more central role he’ll have much more room which I think is vital for a player like him.