Pro Pundits

Everton assets on the FPL radar following Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman, takes a closer look at how Everton assets are shaping up under Carlo Ancelotti.


Gameweek 20 has drawn to a close and went pretty well for me after I activated my Wildcard, which I left until the last possible week.

A total of 66 points has seen my overall rank rise to 36,928, which is just 26 points off the top 10k.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5) was the star of the show but there were also returns for six others, including Ismaïla Sarr (£6.2m), who has really flourished since Nigel Pearson took charge. In fact, looking at data from Gameweek 17-20, only Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) has taken more shots in the box than Sarr, amongst midfielders.

Looking ahead, Everton are a team on my radar, with fixtures turning in Gameweek 22.

In just two matches, new head coach Carlo Ancelotti has installed a more adventurous brand of football, with real attacking intent.

Against Newcastle, The Toffees had an impressive 22 shots, nine of which were on target.

Caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson had successfully used a 4-4-2 for his few games in charge, whilst Ancelotti primarily used variations of a 4-4-2 at Napoli, so continuing with this shape, with limited time to work on tactics, made absolute sense – though he has added his own twist, which sees it transform into something resembling a 3-5-2 when in possession, with Lucas Digne (£5.9m) pushing high on the left.

With five goals in his last five league games, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) is a player near the top of my Watchlist. After being praised by Ancelotti after scoring the winner against Burnley, he took on the manager’s encouragement by scoring two classic poacher goals against Newcastle United, whilst also creating five chances.

A quick look at Calvert-Lewin’s shot locations over the last two Gameweeks tells us he’s getting quality chances, close to goal.

Defensively, work still needs to be done – not surprising when Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.3m) and Tom Davies (£5.3m) are your central midfielders in a 4-4-2.

Despite this, Djibril Sidibé’s (£5.3m) inclusion as a wide midfielder, rather than full-back, against Burnley was interesting, and something I’m monitoring.

These quotes from Ancelotti, where he discusses the Frenchman’s role after the game, tells us more:

Offensively, he stayed wide. On the other side we had Digne to cover the space there. Defensively (Sidibe) was working in the line of the midfielders, and the 4-4-2 shape, defensively, didn’t change. We tried to build up with Coleman a little bit back, and Sidibe more forward. It went well because he put the cross in for Calvert-Lewin to score the goal.

It’s early days for Ancelotti at Everton but it has been an exciting start.

Also, a quick word on Manchester City, who switched things up in the second half against Sheffield United, and were much improved.

De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva (£7.9m) played in a double pivot, with Rodri (£5.4m) dropping back and forming a three-man defence with Fernandinho (£5.2m) and Eric Garcia (£4.5m), when in possession. 

Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) moved inside as a number 10, whilst the full-backs were given more license to attack.

How Pep Guardiola sets up going forward is impossible to predict, but that Aston Villa fixture in Gameweek 22 could be one to target.

As focus turns to New Year’s Day and Gameweek 21, here is how I’m currently set up.

If John Lundstram (£5.2m) is passed fit, I’ll likely roll a transfer, which gives me a bit more flexibility if I want to bring in one or two Everton assets next week.

In terms of captaincy, I’m currently on Jamie Vardy (£10.1m). I have fond memories of captaining him in the reverse fixture back in Gameweek 7 and, with Leicester City resting nine players against West Ham United, a fresh starting XI including Vardy will hopefully be set to profit.

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

3,167 Comments Post a Comment
  1. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Cantwell or James?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      James

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell

  2. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FT
    A) Aurier/Abraham to Rico/Rashford
    B) Aurier/Alli to Soyuncu/Martial

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Would only sell Spurs next week

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Close one. A with Holgate?

      1. Wolfman180
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I do also own Digne and I dont fancy an Everton double up, especially against Man City this gw

        1. JT11fc
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I guess who evers got good fixtures then

    3. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  3. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    People with Martial and Vardy, who are you capping?

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy, surely

  4. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Rico or Kelly?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico but it's close

    2. jackjones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same choice and am going Rico because of his assist potential

      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, will probably do the same

  5. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Save FT this week?

    Pope
    TAA Soy Kelly
    Mané KdB Grealish Alli
    Vardy Ings Rash

    (Button - Cantwell Lundstram Sidibe) 0.4itb

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save, maybe play Cantwell over Grealish

      1. thomashl
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate, was wondering just that haha, but don’t know who I’ll go with.

  6. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year to everyone!!

    Thoughts on this wildcard (I know but it's done!) tried to be a bit different as I'm ranked 1.7m and having a mare.

    Fabianski
    Soyuncu Kiko Femenia TAA
    Martial KDB Mane Sarr Maddison
    Jimenez Vardy(c)

    Button DCL Sidibe Lundstram

    Cheers chaps and chapesses.

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks pretty solid

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      good. similar to my team.

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys. Couldn't decide whether to use bench fodder or guaranteed starters. Despite bending headaches I prefer it to limited choices which have got me nowhere.

    3. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Like it. Not tempted to start Sidibe over kiko this week?

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I was thinking that but reckon City will score at least twice so in relying on attacking returns only.

    4. tabzy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I think it looks really nice! Tempted to throw mine in just admiring yours

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Tabzy. If your doing well this year please don't follow me! Only had 2 captains all season got 20 once the points were doubled!

    5. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice - no pool triple up

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Not yet but reckon I'll get to that. Martial and Rashford to Ayew and Salah at that point maybe. I'll see how things go with injuries, suspensions, form etc. first though.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I’d just look to bring in VVD personally

          1. Stockport Hatter
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Yes thought of that yesterday and had him in for Soyuncu so there was no triple up.

    6. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Too many players.
      Try again

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        ? 15 line all other squads.

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Like*

      2. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Kiko Femenia is one player.

  7. Diddizz
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision on WC, a 3.9 defender last on the bench. I will use this slot as a vending machine! 😀

    Reid or Simpson, what do think?

    Bournemouth has a crazy amount of injuries and could get some game time and raise in price becouse of it. They have perfect fixtures and need to put up a fight in the next 5 games against relegation candidates or risking relegation. If by any miracle Simpsons got a run in the team the "casuals" will transfer him in like crazy! I only see Simpson as a short-time punt.

    West Ham is also involved in the relegation battle, but got a new manager in Moyes. Last time he used a wing-back system with 3 centerbacks and if he learnt anything from last time Cresswell shouldn't play as centerback. This gives Reid a real chance of claiming a starting place under Moyes. But it's most likely that Moyes plays a straight 4 in defense today against Bournemouth and he misses out.
    Maybe it's better to wait and see with Reid. If he claims a starting place he's a no-brainer for raising funds from "casuals".

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go Reid

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Reid. He is more likely to get a spot. But he is fodder.

      1. Diddizz
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        But it's more likely Simpsons raises in price first if the current market stays the same. If he go up to 4.0 all he needs is a start to raise to 4.1 so I can sell him and make a profit.

        Reid is behind in the market and will most likely be bench today, but it would be so annying if he get benched but raises anyway and then gets a starting place under Moyes!

        Hard hard choice. It's about making money, but a starting Reid is a no-brainer for a 5th defender.

        1. Diddizz
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I will go with Simpson. He is about to raise to 4.0 and all he needs is one start and that could come today. If so he will raise to 4.1. I think it's a risk I'm willing to take.

          Reid could be a long-term enabler, but nothing points to a start today and he can be left at 3.9. Better to wait and see with him.

    3. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Reid has some chance of playing, Simpson is very unlikely to play as he is so far behind in the pecking order at Bournemouth, they are unlikely to have that many injuries in defence at the same time again for the rest of the season.

      Either way I wouldn’t waste that much time thinking about this though, it’s really not that important.

      1. Diddizz
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Reid has some chance of playing, yes. But propably not today.

        The market favour Simpson and he's about to raise.

        He you seen Bournemouth defensive injuries? He could get game time today and that's all needed for raises to 4.1.

        For me it's important, I'm desperate of making funds so I can upgrade my defensive if needed.

        Current team: 0.0 in the bank

        McCarthy

        TTA - Kelly - Kiko

        Salah - Mané - De Bruyne - Martial

        Vardy - Jiménez - Ings

        Subs: McGovern - Cantwell - Lundstram - Simpson

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Even if Simpson played today and rose to 4.0, he’d have to keep on playing to rise again. After a few GWs of no shows, people will be going for other remainig options at 3.9 otherwise.

          1. Diddizz
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            You could be right. It's a hard call for sure.

            Right now there are no options at 3.9 besides Simpson who have minutes in the book and Reid who have potential. We must remember we're talking about casuals who are jumping onboard every opportunity and bandwagon.

            Reid on the other hand hasn't played a minute of PL-football for 1,5 year. I think he must get some minutes before the casuals will bandwagon him in.

            1. Left Wingers Utd
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Have a day off.

  8. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have Guaita, play:

    A) Kelly
    B) Rico

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think Kelly will lay

  9. MaRooney 5
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    start Rico or Sidibé? Grealish or Traoré?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico Traore

  10. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I’m considering Moura >> Mooy next week and rotating with Cantwell for my 4/5th Midfielder.
    Would work towards a midfield of Salah,Mane,KDB,Cantwell,Mooy.

    Would allow me to keep Rashford and Vardy with DCL or Maupay as 3 Rd striker.

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it sounds good

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    3. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think I'd ever want to have to play Mooy!

    4. Ruud000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Check out the season ticket rotation tool - Cantwell doesn’t rotate with Mooy too well.

      1. Ruud000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        *ticker

  11. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    If nothing extraordinary happens, TC on TAA dgw for sure.

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      no both are away games. too risky

      1. ali-bayor
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        TAA scored 24pts against Leicester away from home...and that was supposed to be one of the toughest away games Liverpool would have. Clear to me, that Liverpool and TAA are fixture proof...he can haul anytime

  12. Planet Head
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start Ings or Traore today?

    1. Timon
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm doing both

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Would you drop Martial or Abraham to have both Ings and Traore?

    3. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      always ings

    4. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ings every day of the week - and twice on Saturdays

      1. Planet Head
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Everyone's saying Ings and I'm still gonna bench him. Just feel like Traore's looking great and has had a rest, Wolves creating lots of chances, plus Ings is up against Spurs and I have Aurier.

        Would you drop Tammy for Ings? Seriously considering that one.

  13. Timon
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Traore or Sarr?

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Real tough choice. Traore only as he has had a bit of a rest

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'm punting on Sarr

  14. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good morning and more importantly Happy New Year everyone....wishing everyone all the best for the coming year and more importantly a properous end to the FF season!!!

    Captain pick is very hard this week.

    A. KDB
    B. Vardy
    C. Mane
    D. Salah

    1. corderz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Currently on B but don't always like to back teams away for captaincy plus Newcastle ain't as bad as what there once where....

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Tough

      Moving off Vardy I think. Newcastle at home are decent. THey’ve been clattered by no one.

      Thinking Mo

  15. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play:

    A) Grealish - BUR(a)
    B) Cantwell - CRY(H)

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell

  16. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Currently playing Ramsdale in goal, would you double up with Rico or play Kelly instead?

    Current defence:

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Soy, Rico

    Subs: Kelly, Lund

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly

  17. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which of the "big guns" have a good chance of having their minutes managed this week? I'm thinking KdB, Mané/Salah, TAA. Think Vardy will play for sure

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      all of them will likely play

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think with Liverpool Sweets it depends how the game is going.

      I see Klopp resting more on Sunday in the FA cup

  18. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gtg?
    Ramsdale
    TAA soy rico
    Kdb(vc) mane alli traore
    Vardy(c) ings rashford
    Button grealish lundstram targett

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good, similar to mine below also with grealish benched...so expect a goal from him 🙂

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, I'm worried about that. But only choice really

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg

  19. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year everyone! Hope it’s a good one for all.

    With all the focus on pool and the dgw is anyone concerned about a city resurgence- transfer window is open and Laporte is a month away from returning

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero non-owner and bricking it!

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Villa on the horizon

    2. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah Aguero is the one I would love to have, City will hit a few big scores in the next few weeks. But he's rotation prone and expensive so will have to pass I guess!

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      KDB enough City.
      Might get Laporte in when he's back

    4. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Think City will outscore Liverpool- or better said continue to do so. Question is picking the scorers.

      Quite open to shifting from Mo Mane KdB to Mane KdB Sterling if that’s how form looks.

  20. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Cantwell or Kelly? Ta.

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly

  21. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Is Jimenez better than Ings for the coming 3 GWs?

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      For sure

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fixture wise yes, but risky with Ings in red hot form.

  22. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    GTG or make a change? Not ideal with grealish benched but guess that's my own fault by trying to have a decent bench over Xmas:

    Pope
    Aurier, Taa, soyuncu
    Alli, mane, kdb, Moura
    Vardy, Ings, Jimi

    Grealish, Kelly, Lundstram

    1ft, 0.2itb

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Gtg who's capt

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy which is fairly safe I guess

  23. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench?

    1. Maddison
    2. Grealish
    3. Ings

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

  24. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed? 1FT. Tempted to switch Rams > fab

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Soyuncu, Sidibe
    Salah, KDB, Martial, Maddison, Traore
    Vardy, Ings

    McGovern, Maupay, Kiko, Lundstram

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd save the FT

  25. Chrisscfc
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Was going to try and get VVD for the double, too many Leicester already.

    Really fancy Zaha this week so unsure on who to drop...

  26. Siggy Azalea
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all,

    I already have Abraham. Should I play Mount (Bha, a) or use a FT to buy and play...
    a) Tielemans
    b) Perez
    c) Barnes
    d) Zaha
    e) Anyone else below 6.9?

    Thanks!

  27. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking about doing Grealish -> Traore, am I crazy?

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Crazy like a fox.

  28. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Next week and save FT

  29. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Rico or Kiko?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico

  30. liboo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ayew or Grealish??