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. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ditch Rico or Kelly for Gomez?

    1. Offs!de
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Both are on same boat but Rico has good fixtures on paper

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

      Kelly

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers lads

  2. Offs!de
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which TWO to play?
    a. Grealish?
    b. Ings?
    c. DCL?

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

      B c

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

      B & C

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      BC

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a, b

    5. Offs!de
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all!

  3. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    1FT 1.6ITB

    Save FT? Plan on getting in Salah for Alli before the DGW.

    Pope
    TAA Rico Soy
    KdB Alli Mane Traore
    Vardy(C) Jimi Tammy

    Henderson Cantwell Kelly Lundstram

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

    Happy new year. Play
    A) Cantwell
    B) Grealish

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve gone A, so probably B

  5. wijohnson85
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Mount and/or Grealish out for Maddison Or Mahrez? Or could get both out and get Adama or fornals as well

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

      Mount

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

    Salah owners. Who’s your captain

    1. ♤TeddyBear♤
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      JV

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

      On Vardy at the moment

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

      Vardy

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

      Salah or Vardy

    5. Civan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

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

      I’m thinking salah over Vardy

    7. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No idea yet, currently on Rashford

    8. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero

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

      Salah, but I have no Vardy in my team.

    10. wijohnson85
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sal

    11. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy due to rotation risk

    12. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero ©

  7. The SK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Henderson to Fabianski?

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

      Only if two ft and no pressing concerns

  8. Clinton19
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who's captaining Salah over Vardy and KDB today?

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

      Some fool probably

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

      Look above

      1. Clinton19
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        I just know Salah will run riot today if I captained JV

    3. wijohnson85
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yup. Due a brace

  9. Johan Queef
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Impossible question but....

    A) Salah
    B) Mane

    ???

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

      For captain?

      Salah

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

      For your team mane

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

      Mane

    4. Johan Queef
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      For my team. Stupidly sold Mane for Son the other week and I'm without a Liverpool attacker.

      Think it might be Mane coming back.

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

      mane

  10. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What do do with 2FTs?

    Pope
    VVD, Soy, Kelly
    Salah, Mount, KDB, Alli
    Vardy, Rashy, Tammy

    Roberto, Rico, Fleck, Lunds

    0.3itb & 2FT

    any help appreciated.
    Cheers

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

    Start Rico or Kelly?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly

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

      Rico

    3. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      kelly

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

    1FT. Would you do Ramsdale > Fabianski or save?

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

      I would do this, if there is no other problems/future plans...

  13. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Currently on wc
    G2g or any changes needed??
    Ryan
    Taa , gomez, soy
    Mane, Kdb, traore, mardy
    Vardy(c), ings, Rashford
    Subs, McGovern, kiko, lund, oriol

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      *maddy

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

    Otamendi to Robo (double Lpool defence) or save transfer this week?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      do it

    2. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Spread the risk and save IMO.

  15. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Traoré (wat) or Ings (TOT)?

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

      Ings

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

      Ings

  16. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Current XI

    Hendo
    TAA, Aurier, Rico
    Mane, KDB(c), Moura, Richarl
    Vardy, Ings, Kane

    Bench: Grealish, Lund, Holgate

    Play Grealish for Moura/Rich or stick?

  17. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do I recall correctly there’s some guy on twitter who states the early kickoff line-ups?.

    If so, who is he please?

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

      fplrockstar...but he's on a break atm apparently

  18. Bene_the_horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year!

    Does the below seem good?

    OUT- Ederson, Richarlison, Abraham

    IN - Foster, MANE, Greenwood

    Thanks in advance?

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

      Like the Foster Differential there mate, greenwood is good if you can cover his rotation, think next season will probably his season to play more in the PL, think this season they will play him but more off the bench so that there is less pressure on him whilst he develops.

      Mane set and forget imo

  19. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Traore or Cantwell, and why?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      traore because he is on good form

    2. kawaiii
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traore, form. Guaranteed minutes.

      Connected to this point. Would you play Cantwell over
      Grealish ?

      1. Mr. Mystic
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cantwell 100% I think he will start as was benched last game, has good recent home form

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

          Yes, could be a differential to play Cantwell.
          If you have Jimenez I would play Cantwell over Traore.

          1. Mr. Mystic
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            I don’t have jiminez, this is my dilemma.

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

              Thinking more about it. Watford have tightened up a lot with Pearson.
              Norwich tend to score at home. They looked good in recent games, so maybe Cantwell ?

    3. Dr.Oftaw
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Cantwell at home and we will beat Wolves COYH

  20. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    how crazy is it to cap kane?

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Scored in the last 4 away games against the Saints, and the last 6 home and away.

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

      there is no craziness in it, Sou are not defensively strong and wiv pens being given for even the most ridiculous reasons, having another pen taker in your team is always good this season.

      been thinking of capping Kane myself, thehighly rigged VAR has denied the lad a brace twice so maybe 3rd time lucky for King Kane

  21. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi people hows this? Captain pick ok? Bench order ok?

    Guaita
    Vvd, taa, soy, cathcart
    Traoré, kdb, alli, salah(vc)
    Vardy(c), rashford

    Bench, Stekelenburg, greenwood, lundstram, dendoncker

  22. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Pope | Heaton
    Robertson | Aurier | Lundstram | Soyuncu | Kelly
    KdB | Alli | Zaha | Maddison | Dendoncker
    Vardy | Kane | Tammy

    2Ft and 0.5 ITB. Drawing a blank. Any suggestions?

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Zaha --> Traore?

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

        Yes. Form.

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Was thinking of that. Might just end up doing that. Cheers! 🙂

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

    Gtg? 1ft and £2.2itb

    Guiata
    Taa - Rico - Soy
    Maddison - kdb - Mane - Grealish - Alli
    Vardy - Rashford

    Button - Greenwood - Kelly - Lundstram

  24. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Clearly there can only be 1 captain choice?

    Vardy?

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

    GTG?

    Guaita
    TAA Aurier Rico
    KDB(vc) Salah Alli Grealish
    Vardy(C) Rashford Ings

    Martin Cantwell Kelly Lundstram

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

      Why Grealish over Cantwell ?

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

        Not sure...... Would you swap them then?

  26. Burger_and_Chips
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain choice? Newcastle Only conceded 9 goals at home all season. Kane great record against Southampton. Salah due a brace.

    A. Vardy
    B. Salah
    C. Kane

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B.

  27. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski
    Alexander-Arnold | Aurier | Rico
    Salah (C) | De Bruyne | Martial | Traore
    Vardy | Rashford | Abraham

    McGovern | Dendoncker | Lundstram | Reid

    Any changes?

  28. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Captaincy:

    Think Salah will reward our patience today or better going Vardy due to ownership?

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I am going Salah.

      He is at home + whenever there is hype about a team being devoid of defenders it doesn't work out as I hope.

    2. Dr.Oftaw
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I’m on either Salah or Martial today

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Would prefer to see Salah do it first before persisting with armband. Vardy will be majority choice- he averages 7ppg in away games if you exclude the Southampton ‘anomaly’

  29. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Only got a couple of hours before deadline, haven't had enough time to really plan this Wildcard.
    Help!
    How does this look?
    Fabiansky (Button)
    TAA Lund Soy (Rico 3.9)
    Mane Salah KDB Cantwell Grealish
    Vardy Cal-Lew Ings

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don’t like Cantwell on wildcard. Can see why cause of cash but prefer Traore
      How would you upgrade one of those cheap strikers in the future?

  30. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all.

    1.2m ranking and I went ahead with wild card. How does my team look?

    Fabs
    TAA Dunk Rico
    KDB Salah Mané Traoré
    Rash Ings Vardy
    (Button, Cantwell, Kabasele, Reid)

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

      Looks fine. I'm playing Cantwell at home this week over Traore.