Goodison Tactics: Everton’s ball-carrier Iwobi vital to apply perfect pressure on Man City
Everton have been dealt a big blow ahead of their FA Cup clash v Manchester City with James Rodriguez ruled out – but it could be good news for Alex Iwobi.
The Colombian playmaker has missed our last four games but there was hope that he would return against the Premier League table-toppers on Saturday to boost out cup hopes.
However in his pre-match press conference on Friday Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he would be absent from the squad [Everton FC Twitter].
FA stipulations mean Joshua King is unable to make his full debut for the Blues as he played for Bournemouth in earlier rounds v Oldham Athletic and Crawley Town.
Therefore Ancelotti’s attacking options are extremely limited with Iwobi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Bernard the only senior figures able to play in a front three, unless Gylfi Sigurdsson is moved into an unfavoured position.
With Bernard out-of-favour at the club it seems certain that Iwobi and Richarlison will flank Calvert-Lewin and that means the Nigerian has another big chance to prove his worth.
He complained about being deployed in a defensive wing-back position after their 2-0 loss to Chelsea on March 8 with Ancelotti calling on him to speak up and tell him where he wants to play [Guardian].
Rodriguez is usually handed the ‘free’ role off the right-hand side of the Everton attack and Iwobi might just be given this chance now.
At Goodison News we have taken a look at how Iwobi can cause Manchester City problems.
According to Wyscout Rodriguez makes 1.43 progressive runs per 90 this season with 3.11 dribbles while Iwobi makes 2.78 per 90 and attempts 4.96 dribbles.
Against Burnley last weekend Iwobi made eight progressive runs, a figure he has not topped all season.
Here are a couple of examples of how his pace and willingness to take on defenders could prove pivotal v Pep Guardiola and co on Saturday.
The below image shows Iwobi picking the ball up with his back facing the goal.
Faced with two defenders he doesn’t choose the easy route of turning back and passing or going down a useless avenue down the wing to see his cross blocked.
Instead he takes the brave decision to drive inside to where his teammates are and look to create opportunities. He travels half the width of the pitch before releasing the ball to Richarlison in a dangerous area on the edge of the box.
There were countless examples of this and below is another one.
Again he receives the ball not facing the goal and this time there is a defender putting pressure on him as soon as the ball is played into him.
This does not disturb him, however.
Once again he picks the ball up and drives into the heart of midfield looking to create an opening and what this does is force defenders to close him down, leaving teammates in space and the image is almost identical to the previous example.
Manchester City are one of the best teams around at pressing opponents [only two Premier League sides top their 31.8% successful pressures – fbref]. This measures how successful teams are at gaining possession within five seconds of applying pressure.
Therefore ball-carriers are essential to causing them problems as they will hunt down any lethargic individuals.
For all of Rodriguez’s qualities he can sometimes be too relaxed on the ball and that leads to an increased chance of turnovers.
With Iwobi in the team Everton should have more faith that they can drive up the pitch with more regularity and put pressure on the City defence.
Time for him to prove his worth.
In other Everton news, DCL must rise to the occasion v Manchester City.