Midfielder Van de Beek latest Everton injury concern
Everton manager Frank Lampard is hoping Donny van de Beek isn’t seriously hurt after the Dutch midfielder had to be substituted in Saturday’s defeat to Manchester City.
The loan signing felt his leg during the second half of the weekend’s match and had to go off to be replaced by Dele Alli as Everton were beaten in controversial circumstances.
It’s still not clear as to the extent of his problem and Lampard is hopeful it is just a case of cramp, which it might well be given that he has had so little playing time at Manchester United recently and has then started two games in succession for the Blues’.
But, it would be just typical of the Toffees’ luck of course if van de Beek was to go down injured just as Abdoulaye Doucoure returns after his latest enforced absence.
On Saturday, Lampard was finally able to play the three-man midfield so many of us have been desperate to see for so long.
The Blues’ had van de Beek, Doucoure and Allan operating together in the centre and they, alongside Alex Iwobi and Anthony Gordon, stifiled City, particularly in the first half when Everton were excellent.
It was good to see Doucoure striding around the pitch again and Allan was, as always, a markedly better player with the Frenchman alongside him once more. In fact the Brazilian was probably the Toffees’ man-of-the-match, alongside Jordan Pickford.
Van de Beek had a fine game as well, and when he had to go off it coincided with City really taking control of midfield and camping in Everton’s half as they upped the pressure before finally scoring.
The combination of the three of them was an ideal balance. Allan sat a bit deeper as a sort of number six, worked hard and provided good protection for the defence.
Doucoure was his usual energetic self, up and down the pitch and winning the ball, looking to carry it forward when he could. Van de Beek added that calmness and quality in possession while also doing more than his fair share of defensive work and tackling.
The team was set up to play in a formation that became a sort of 4-1-4-1 when they didn’t have possession and it was as if Everton were effectively playing away from home on Saturday, conceding possession as you have to expect against the champions and breaking quickly.
It was a system that worked well and having those three in the centre of the pitch gave the side a solidity and balance that has often been lacking.
This could well prove pivitol in helping the Blues’ gain more control in midfield, especially away from home in the coming weeks as they face so many crucial fixtures.
So, we have to hope that Lampard’s optimism is well-founded and the Dutch midfielder is only suffering from that lack of match-fitness and it’s not anything more serious.