Who has to step up for Everton as season run-in looms

Everton’s midfield has been a mess for several seasons now. There has been too little strategic thinking about what the team needs in the engine room and too many ill-fitting players who don’t provide enough balance.

Ancelotti did try and address this by signing Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in Summer 2020 when optimism was high of better times ahead.

These two players were a considerable upgrade, but there was not enough support for them with Andre Gomes’ form having nosedived (particularly since his injury against Spurs) while Tom Davies has never quite convinced or found a regular place in the side.

In addition, both Ancelotti’s signings have had injury problems and at times indifferent form and this has destablised the midfield.

This has been compunded by the failure to add at least one more athletic and powerful midfielder who can offer that defensive workrate and a box-to-box presence.

This was one of the issues again with the last transfer window when Everton brought in Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli.

Neither of these players offer that sort of contribution and with Doucoure’s form in particular falling away since the New Year, this decision may well come back to haunt the team.

While the Dutchman was a sound enough addition, Alli felt like the wrong signing with Everton needing another Doucoure type player or a centre-back and so far he hasn’t exactly shown anything to disprove that opinion.

Allan is suspended at the moment and so he is unavailable at the moment and Doucoure’s form has been very dissapointing.

So, both van de Beek and Alli really have to step up and prove they can contribute some strong performances and goals with just a few months left of the season.