Goodison Tactics: Everton need subtle adjustments to see attack reach potential
On paper, Everton have a stunning collection of attacking talent and under a seasoned coach like Carlo Ancelotti, you would expect them to be thriving.
After 11 Premier League games they have the sixth-best goalscoring record in the league and with 20 goals, it could be argued that they have started well.
According to FBRef, they have generated 16.8 expected goals, again the sixth-best record in the division, but in recent weeks things have started slow down.
Against Burnley last weekend there were signs of the good play in the final third, they generated 1.7 xG, but the real concern was progressing the ball through the packed midfield. Central midfielders Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure moved the ball into the final third just a combined eight times, and this led to James Rodriguez dropping deep, away from his right-wing position in the 3-4-3 formation (via FBRef).
This is shown by the fact that he completed more final third entry passes (6) than any other Everton player, with the Colombian slipping into the number 10 role often and looking to connect with the overlapping Iwobi.
This is not a bad thing when Rodriguez stays high as he does above, but too often he was forced deeper and deeper and Everton did not have any players looking to connect between the lines. The former Real Madrid man has come in for criticism in recent weeks, but this game was evidence that he still possesses plenty of quality. When he was found by a teammate in space, as above and below, he was able to deliver the killer pass that led to a chance for teammates. The issue arises when he becomes isolated.
Everton’s lack of ability to move the ball through the middle of the pitch impacted Richarlison too and as a result, he began dropping deeper and looking for the ball. From there he would drive forward and on occasions, it worked well.
However, with both Richarlison and Rodriguez dropping deep, the connection between attack and midfield worsened and for large spells in this game, Everton struggled to create. The cause of this disconnect comes down to a few things.
Firstly, with only a two-man midfield in the shape of Allan and Doucoure, they are missing a third body that would help them to dominate the central space. Secondly, neither Allan nor Doucoure are renowned for their passing ability and they refrained from playing the eye of the needle balls to find Rodriguez and Richarlison in dangerous spots. In just 62 minutes, Andre Gomes completed four final third entry passes and four progressive passes, with Allan and Doucoure managing just two progressive passes each (via FBRef).
Overall, the quality of Richarlison and Rodriguez allowed Everton to create enough chances to score more than one goal in this game, but Ancelotti must consider the ball progression problem going forward.
In other Everton news, Frank Lampard has hailed his former Chelsea boss Ancelotti.