View: Allan likely to start v Man City but that could be a big mistake
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that midfielder Allan would be in contention to face Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Brazil international hasn’t played for the Blues since he was substituted in the first half against Leicester in mid-December with a hamstring issue, though he returned to the bench against Fulham on Sunday.
Allan been accompanied on the injury table by midfielders JP Gbamin and Fabian Delph, leaving Everton short of options in the defensive midfield area over the past month.
Speaking ahead of his side’s fixture against the current league leaders (via evertonfc.com), Ancelotti said:
“Allan is in contention. He is fit. He is good.”
Should Ancelotti elect to field Allan from the off, one of Tom Davies, Andre Gomes or Abdoulaye Doucoure will likely be forced to miss out.
Not worth the risk
Allan’s return for Everton will be massive, such was the impact that the Brazilian made in a defensive midfield role earlier in the campaign.
Following the disappointing 2-0 loss to the Cottagers last weekend it would definitely be easy to rush Allan back into contention against Manchester City, especially considering the opposition side’s recent run of form, with Pep Guardiola’s side on an 11-game winning run.
However, that could be a big mistake and we think Everton could do worse than take their time reintroducing Allan to Premier League action.
JP Gbamin has been out with successive injuries since August 2019, and though Everton rushing him back isn’t the cause of his woes, the club are acutely aware of how frustrating multiple injuries can be.
Allan is an important player for Everton, and one Ancelotti will surely be desperate to see in royal blue again, but the club must be careful not to rush the former Partenopei general.
With more important fixtures still to come in the following weeks, Everton would perhaps be best served leaving Allan’s return until the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are said to be courting Roma centre-back Gianluca Mancini as they look ahead to the summer transfer market.