Everton: 3 Formations Everton could lineup vs Burnley

Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton take on Burnley on Saturday

Everton run into a difficult challenge as they play Burnley at Goodison Park, with the Toffees looking to bounce back after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. One problem for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is they have run into seemingly another injury problem, with their energetic French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure injured for up to 10 weeks after suffering a fracture in his foot. Everton are also missing James Rodriguez, with the Colombian sitting out to recover back to 100%.

There is some good news for Evertonians with Seamus Coleman, Tom Davies and Yerry Mina all set to return from injury, giving Everton a few options going into the next game against Burnley.

So let’s take a look at three formations the Toffees could play against the Clarets:

Formation 1: 3-5-2

This one may worry Everton fans because last time the Toffees decided to implement a three at the back, it lead to some decent defensive performances, but the attack was non-existent. The problem wasn’t the formation though; it was the idea that Everton went into games almost worried about attacking, with the Toffees focusing much more on the defensive side of the ball due to injuries.

One interesting thing is that Carlo Ancelotti mentioned wanting to play a more attacking style of football, and that could work in this formation because it would give Digne and Coleman more freedom to get forwards and get involved in the attacking side of the play. This role could get the best out of Digne due to his ability on the attacking side of the ball, especially his crossing.

It would also allow Everton to still keep a solid defensive shape, with Mina and Godfrey in wider positions which would enable Tom Davies and Allan to slip into more defensive positions if Burnley start a counter-attack, and with these two midfielders sat in deeper positions, it also gives Andre Gomes the freedom to roam forwards and dictate the play, something he can be fantastic at when he is performing.

Everton could also play Alex Iwobi or Gylfi Sigurdsson in that position, with Iwobi’s recent Instagram story suggesting that he feels he may be more suited to the number 10 position.

https://twitter.com/MightyBluesYT/status/1369273156804960260

Sigurdsson could be injured; it’s likely that he doesn’t play so that Everton can avoid losing another attacking midfielder. This would leave the Toffees with nobody really to be that creative playmaker, especially with them pushing for European football that could provide a serious problem.

The attacking two doesn’t really have to be mentioned, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are vital to Everton’s success. It’s clear this new role as a left striker suits the Brazilian much more, allowing him to make darting runs into the box to catch out defenders and score, with him even showing his aerial prowess against West Brom.

Calvert-Lewin has been Everton’s talisman this season, with the English striker scoring 13 goals this season, which have all been from open play, he’s had a bit of a drought recently, but if anyone is going to score for Everton, it will be Calvert-Lewin who’s a natural goal scorer.