Peter Crouch claims Everton overly-reliant on key first team duo
Peter Crouch has claimed that Everton are overly-reliant on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, but has suggested that the Toffees are working hard to resolve that flaw.
The Blues were sunk 3-2 by Arsenal on Sunday, with both strikers on the scoresheet for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
But while Crouch has suggested that the pair do carry their side at times, he has claimed that their new boss looks to be moving his side away from that pattern of behaviour.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, as per the Echo, the former England international said: “There is probably an over-reliance on the front two at times [for Everton] and certainly earlier on in the season I couldn’t see a pattern in their play.
“There are signs that they have worked on it on the training ground.”
Does Crouch have a point here?
Potentially, yes.
First and foremost, the way that Crouch has framed this is hardly a criticism.
The fact of the matter is that most teams are probably a little too reliant on their strikers.
After all, goals win games, and the man closest to the net is almost always the one likeliest to put the ball in it.
In that sense, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have come alive this season – yesterday marked their 14th and 12th goals of the season respectively – but there is a thin line to be toed.
On the one hand, we should celebrate two young players hitting a rich vein of form and transforming the fortunes of a team.
On the other, we must remember that finding alternative ways of breaking sides down is vital too.
Thankfully, if there’s one man you would rely on to solve that puzzle, it is Carlo Ancelotti.
In other Everton news, Confirmed – Toffees boss Ancelotti reveals reason for Digne absence v Arsenal.