Coleman available so Everton boss has options
Carlo Ancelotti has given an update on team news and injuries ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match as Everton host Arsenal at Goodison Park.
The most significant update is that Seamus Coleman is it seems fit to play tomorrow afternoon. So Everton boss Ancelotti will have the option of playing him again at right-back and moving Mason Holgate into midfield.
That’s if he decides to do that of course. He may not tinker with his newly-formed backline and instead show faith and confidence in the midfield three that finished the game at Leicester City.
Talking of that midfield, Ancelotti praised the performance and versatility of Abdoulaye Doucoure declaring that he had even been surprised by how well the Frenchman has settled into this Toffees team and how influential he has become.
So is this a hint that the Blues boss might ask him to reprise that role and man-of-the-match performance at the Kingpower Stadium?
It’s a little bit of a conundrum for the Everton manager. There’s certainly a lot to be said for sticking with a winning side that has developed a bit of confidence. Personally I would go with the same side tomorrow but I’m not making that call!
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On the other hand does he risk upsetting that back-four in favour of having the experience and nous of Coleman again at right-back?
On balance I think Ancelotti will feel it’s too early bring Coleman straight back so if he wants to replace Allan, the question is who will come in to midfield?
Of course if Jean-Philippe Gbmain was available and fit then that would solve the problem, but we’re still waiting for the Ivory Coast player to recover from his seemingly endless run of injuries.
In other team news the Italian confirmed that as expected, James Rodriguez won’t be fit in time for the match tomorrow but might make the Carabao Cup game next Wednesday.
No surprise there but it means that Alex Iwobi will presumably continue on the right where he has been playing the best football of his admittedly so far underwhelming Toffees career.
The former Arsenal man has had a tough first year or so in a royal blue shirt and despite numerous opportunities has struggled badly to make any positive impression.
Ever since he moved to the right side of the team recently, he has been in fine form showing energy and commitment we’ve rarely seen before and real quality on the ball too.
In fact Iwobi was possibly the best Blues player at Leicester apart from Doucoure. Whisper it but he might finally have found his role in this Everton team.
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Without Rodriguez Iwobi will have to replicate that form and give the Blues the pace and width they need opposite Richarlison. Hopefully he can give Dominic Calvert-Lewin enough quality service for him to resume his great scoring run this season.