Allan’s attacking instincts expose Everton defence

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Allan of Everton is challenged by Stuart Dallas of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds United at Goodison Park on November 28, 2020 in Liverpool, 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 Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Allan of Everton is challenged by Stuart Dallas of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds United at Goodison Park on November 28, 2020 in Liverpool, 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 Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images) /
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One thing that came out of the 1-0 defeat to Leeds Everton suffered on Saturday was the performance of midfielder Allan. But did the way he played actually contribute to exposing the Toffees fragile defence?

Allan has arguably been the most consistent player in the Everton team this season. Since the Brazilian joined in the summer he has been a really solid performer.

His energy, commitment to the cause and work rate have been first class and he has certainly been from the opening day an essential member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

At the start of the season Allan was playing in a midfield three alongside another new signing Abdoulaye Doucoure and Andre Gomes.

With those two alongside him Allan was able to operate in a way that saw him not just sit, defend or track back and win the ball, but also get forward sometimes and be involved the team’s attacking play as well.

That worked well at first and the Blues got off to a flying start winning four straight Premier League matches and going to the top of the table.

After that bright start though came the first international break and when Everton resumed the campaign results quickly tailed off.

Allan came back slightly jaded and Gomes’ form fell away and he lost his place while the alternatives Ancelotti tried instead of the Portuguese weren’t effective.

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This then in turn highlighted an issue with the way that Doucoure plays. The Frenchman is a high-energy box-to-box player but isn’t always the most disciplined of players.

That means if there isn’t a player alongside Allan who plays in a more disciplined way, then that can leave Everton vulnerable to being overrun at times in the middle.

Against Leeds on Saturday Allan was not only his usual robust self defensively but was driving forward regularly and prompting Toffees attacks.

Unfortunately that didn’t help the fragile defence when Leeds were playing with the level of cohesiveness and energy and were able to dominate possession and put the Blues defence under huge pressure for long periods. That defence struggled to contain the visitors.

That in part was because of the formation Ancelotti played. In a 3-4-3 formation the centre of midfield inevitably weakened a little with the absence of that extra man. If you then add wing-backs who can’t offer the right balance and support, as was the case on Saturday, it is going to put the team under further pressure defensively.

One theoretical solution to this would be the return of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, although he has been out for so long that no one can be sure how quickly, or if at all, he will be able to recover. Regardless though it will cause further problems if Everton want to persist with this formation and it is yet another issue for Ancelotti to sort out.