Nick Ware

Sun 7 February 2021 16:30, UK

Mason Holgate has shown himself to be a valuable member of the Everton squad but Carlo Ancelotti must nail down a proper position for the 24-year-old.

A centre-back by trade, Holgate has been utilised there and at right-back for the Blues this season to good effect with Ancelotti’s side sitting sixth in the Premier League and eyeing a European place, while they also possess games in hand over teams above them.

He has started the last four league games at full-back instead of club captain Seamus Coleman but he is lacking in some key areas that have contributed to questions being raised in some quarters over his suitability in this position, and at Goodison News we have unearthed some statistics that might back up this assertion that it is a problem position for Everton.

According to Wyscout Holgate lost possession of the ball 14 times v Manchester United on Saturday, his second-highest total of the season (averages 9.66 per 90).

He also won neither of his two aerial duels and made zero recoveries in the opposition half as he showed his tendency to reside closer to his own goal.

Edinson Cavani’s opener looked to be a mix-up between Holgate and Michael Keane as to who should have been marking him.

Given that Holgate is naturally a centre-back and was facing the play we would have expected him to sense the danger and tuck back in to challenge with the Uruguayan on Keane’s blindside.

Furthermore, his 78% pass accuracy made it one of his poorest displays on the ball of the season, with only a 75% completion rate v Chelsea on December 12 a worse figure.

Holgate only attempted one cross which did not come off but this is not a startling statistic given he averages just 1.03 per 90 at a 25% success rate.

This is in clear contrast to Lucas Digne on the other side who attempted nine crosses.

Digne averages 6.44 crosses per 90 this season at a 34% success rate and is the Blues main source of creativity from the flanks.

The issue is, though, that the opposition knows his threat and double up down his side.

Having a player of a similar ilk down the right would help this as it would give Everton outlets on both sides and ensure they can switch play at any given opportunity.

However, with Holgate down the right, there is much less hope on him creating chances with his more defensive instincts and poorer talents on the ball.

A grand total of zero progressive runs shows his specialist role as a full-back – that he is there to protect rather than to provide.

There is certainly a role in this squad for Holgate and he is a valuable option in central defence, particularly if Ancelotti opts for three at the back as he has done so on a couple of occasions this term.

But there is a clear area for Everton to look to improve in the next transfer market and they must make this a priority to ensure they are not so reliant down the left side of the pitch.

Perhaps Coleman can be reintroduced for the rest of the season.

While he may not be the spring chicken of old he provides more width and with a 35% cross success rate [Wyscout] is a much superior deliverer of the ball than Holgate while he gives more assurance in possession with his 86% average pass accuracy this season.

In other Everton news, Don Hutchinson points out two key selection issues.