Goodison Stats: Timely return for Everton midfield general Allan
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Allan can return to the starting line-up against Southampton, and his return couldn’t have come at a better time for Everton.
The Brazilian midfielder has been missing for the Blues since he suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester in mid-December.
Allan was recently named on the substitutes’ bench against both Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League, though he didn’t make an appearance in either game.
During Allan’s time on the sidelines, Tom Davies has operated in a deeper role for the Blues, a role in which he has largely impressed.
However, he isn’t quite at the same level as the 30-year old midfield general, with Allan having shone before his injury ruled him out for more than two months.
According to stats from WyScout, no player in the Premier League this season has managed more defensive duels per 90 minutes than Allan [11.48], with Davies managing considerably less [8.17] than his Everton teammate.
Allan also ranks higher [7.2] than Davies [6.35] at recoveries of the ball in the opposition’s half per 90 minutes, with the former Napoli man having more experience in the holding role.
That isn’t to diminish Davies’ contributions over the past few months, because the England Under-21s international has proven himself to be a valuable squad player.
However Allan’s return to Ancelotti’s side comes at the right time, with the Toffees aiming to maintain recent momentum against Southampton and West Brom.
The Blues are just five points off West Ham who sit fourth in the Premier League table, while Everton have a game in hand against Aston Villa.
With the race for European football still very much on for Ancelotti’s men, Allan’s return has come at the perfect time as the club look to pick up as many points in their next few games as possible.
In other Everton news, Alan Shearer has named three Everton players in his recent Team of the Week.