Carlos Alcaraz decision is even more important after David Moyes Everton reveal
Everton may not have been able to add too heavily to their squad in the winter transfer window, with David Moyes having admitted PSR constraints had held them back.
It was consequently a quiet market on the blue half of Merseyside despite the fact Moyes has managed to so far get a far more harmonious tune out of the players at his disposal.
Everton’s dramatic draw with Liverpool in Goodison Park’s final-ever Merseyside derby brought Toffees fans memories they will live with forever, but also gave Moyes plenty to think about in the team selection department.
Ndiaye and Doucoure out means it’s Alcaraz’s time to shine
The one recruit Everton were able to make in the winter window was that of Carlos Alcaraz, who arrived from Flamengo on 3 February having previously featured in the Premier League with Southampton, and in Serie A with Juventus.
The 22-year-old was the sole winter arrival which does apply some pressure on his shoulders, although less so with the team in a rich vein of form.
However, Alcaraz’s role looked destined to be one to bulk out the squad and provide Moyes with extra depth, and that has now changed overnight. Iliman Ndiaye’s knee ligament injury is set to rule him out for “a few weeks”, one they have to monitor the progress of very carefully.
Ndiaye has been a beacon of light this season for the Toffees when things were going far from to plan, and with Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended for Saturday at Crystal Palace (15 February), there are two great voids which must be filled – Alcaraz will almost definitely come in for his first start.
The Argentine has come off the bench for a combined 40 minutes of action across the last two games, and now could be thrust into the spotlight as a key operator for his manager.
Everton must keep up their creativity
Under Sean Dyche, Everton seldom had defensive issues. Bar the odd dismal result, they were never put to the sword anywhere near as regularly as teams around them.
The issue was always at the other end of the field. A toothless, blunt edge going forward was at times propped up to look better than it was by the flair and individual brilliance of Ndiaye – but he couldn’t do it alone and the team were inconsistent.
Under Moyes, the shackles appear to have been released, and then injury struck. Alcaraz’s arrival is now more prominent than ever and with a requirement for that creative spark not to die out, he could suddenly become the player Moyes relies upon towards the final third.
Doucoure is set to miss just the one game, which is an inconvenience but not a major headache for the Toffees. Some fans will even believe it was well worth it. For Ndiaye, it’s considerably more serious.
Alcaraz will anticipate his time coming to establish himself once and for all in the Premier League.