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. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Never too late to fiddle with a WC right? That’s the fun bit

    Original WC - 11 man squad - power midfield - BB potential zero

    Ryan Button
    TAA Lund Kelly Rico Kiko
    Mane Mo KdB Maddison Martial
    Vardy Jim Greenwood

    Possible new look - defence and 15 likely starters and expensive keepers - funded by Martial to Cantwell

    Hendo Fab
    TAA Digne Lund Kelly Rico
    Mane Mo KdB Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Jim Ayew

    1. Karhumies
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I'd get rid of Rico & Kelly on a WC before upgrading the 2nd keeper. Possibly BHA and WAT defenders.

  2. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Aurier (TAA, Rico, kelly other defenders) or get Perieira for -4?

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play Aurier

  3. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2FTs, 0.0 ITB

    A) Zaha to Traore
    B) Abraham to Jimenez
    C) Both

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      a) and save 2nd swap

  4. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    captain sterling wee gamble (worried about mins)
    or go more ov choice guaranteed mins
    a) vardy
    b) kane

  5. Gameweek 21 Captaincy
    Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Where do our armband affections lie this week then, folks?

    Jamie Vardy leads the Captains Poll with over 1 in 3 managers favouring the Leicester talisman and it’s easy to see why - ‘Mr Reliable’ Vardy comes into the gameweek on the back of just one blank in his last 10 matches, a full rest at the weekend and faces a Newcastle side that have conceded 6 goals in their last two games. Vardy will also no doubt be keen to give the often used ‘rock the baby’ goal celebration an outing having become a father again in the last week.

    What about the options elsewhere though? Liverpool face Sheffield United at home and have been given a generous four day break between games this week. With 10 wins out of 10 at Anfield, the likes of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mané will be keen to put the Blades to the sword whilst ‘Mr Assists’ Trent Alexander-Arnold will be confident of getting at least a clean sheet and looking to add to his ever increasing attacking output.

    The in-form Kevin De Bruyne has returns in his last 4 and is especially excelling in games at the Etihad where Man City face off against Everton today whilst Harry Kane now has two goals in his last two games and has a superb record in games against Southampton as Spurs travel to St Mary’s where the Saints have particularly struggled this season.

    Who are you captaining this gameweek and why?

    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      all these are options for me but forvsome reason edging sterling

    2. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Currently on salah ....as he missed to score vs blades 🙂 ....

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

      Salah or KDB get the nod. They are at home.

      Betting algorithm predicts more upside in the City fixture, but I think Salah is assured of more minutes.

      Newcastle are light in defence, but whenever there is hype about a team lacking defenders it doesn't quite work out as we expect.

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

      Vardy due to ownership and reliable.

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

        Vardy as the safe, if unimaginative, option

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

          Indeed. It's all about the points.

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

      Still have no idea and all the options you have mentioned are possibilities in my team. Vardy is the obvious one as you say but he is also the only one who is away from home.

      KDB is in form but Anchelotti is my worry and could go into Italian mode and just defend.

      This leaves the 2 Liverpool players who dis look tired vs wolves and could have time managed but they could also run riot. ATM I am in vardy but really tempted to change to mane or Salah...

    6. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Salah here... Like him at home more then Vardy away

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

        *than

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

      Aguero team scored on his first game back last week since GW 13 he'll bit chomping at the bit to get a run of games together now.

      1. FirMinaMiMo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Being a kun owner i suggest salah... The old aguero isn't back yet!! 🙂

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

          He's explosive though that's worth captaining him alone think Sheffield United sit in against us tomorrow which will be hard to break down

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

      I prefer KDB but Vardy seems more popular

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

      Have Vardy, KdB, Mané...but thinking Kane now

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Same

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

      Vardy. Reliable, had a rest and I prefer him away as the home team has more onus to attack, leaving space in behind for him to exploit.

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

      My brain tells me to play it safe with Vardy, but my heart wants me to gamble with Jimenez.

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

      Tempted by Rashford(c)

      1. The Sociologist
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Good shout. He’s my (V).

    13. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looking very closely at Vardy

      The entire Leicester team is rested, and are geared up to do one thing and one thing only - to feed Vardy

      He’s on pens etc... Newcastle were horrendous vs Man Utd & any residual goodness from Rafa seems to be quickly seeping away as the Steve Bruce effect fully kicks in

      Rashford & Martial very interesting options too though - just not sure if Arteta will inspire less capitulation from Arsenal in the short term

      Mustafi will be starting though so the Utd forwards should have a field day

    14. Wet Knee Houston
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Total Captain Points : 208
      Possible Captain Points if you Always used your Vice-Captain instead : 290

      So there's really no point in mentioning who i'm gonna captain. Vice captain is Salah.

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Then do what George does on Seinfeld, do the opposite of what you normally do!

    15. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Richarlison, long story 😉

    16. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I am trying to decide between Salah and Vardy

      Vardy: rested, averaging 12 pts in last 5 away games, weaker opposition, moral boost with the new baby
      Salah: at home, blanked in last 2 games and he has never blanked 3 times in a row

      I think I will eventually captain Vardy because it will probably give me around +0.5 Vardy EO and +0.6 Salah EO if I go with Salah (C), it will be -0.5 Vardy EO and +1.6 Salah EO which is much more risky if things goes wrong and I am not willing or need to take that risk at the moment .

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

    Planning for the DGW. Which is better?

    A. TAA, VVD Mane/Salah
    B. TAA, Mane, Salah

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

      B if you can get to it easily, if not I think there is a case for VVD or maybe even Firmino. Salah over Mane.

  7. Teror
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Abraham >

    A. DCL

    B. Jimenez

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Jimenez

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

      Hold?

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

      Keep

  8. toxik
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Most nailed on WHU defender please guys would like Masuaku but concerned he won't start if not Balbuena?

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      difficult to know at this stage, first we don´t know who´ll start today and result can also be a factor, if they win those who started can get nailed but if they put in a stinker he could change for next game. Cresswell and Fredericks, Moyes prefers english/british players-), he might go for Reid in that regard (not british but new zealand so fluent english speaker). Masuaku won´t get a sniff in,

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

    bottomed...
    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. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Suitable team for gw 24 cheers

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

        So, hold for now?

        1. FirMinaMiMo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Hold yur wc !!!!...and what's yur current team!!! 🙂

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

            Thanks for the advice mate:
            Ryan (button)
            Guilbert Soyunc Aurier (Lund 3.9)
            Salah(c) Alli KDB Maddison (Richarlison)
            Abraham Vardy Ings
            Hold?

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

              I reckon hold this week.

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

                Thank you both! Happy new year!

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

      Yeah, ready to go I think.

  10. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    For This GW ,GTG ??
    Ramsdale- (Mcgovern)
    Dunk Kelly Lund (Targett-Egan)
    Salah KDB Traoré Grealish (Cantwell)
    Vardy C Kün Kane
    1FT 0.6 ITB

  11. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year fellow FPL obsessives!

    Just seen a crazy stat that I assumed was the drink but it isn’t. KDB has never scored vs EVE in the PL (and only once full stop in all competitions- EFL Cup in 2016).

    I know Ancelotti is bringing a new energy to EVE but making me want to switch armband back to Vardy!

  12. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2g for this GWk??

    Ryan
    Soy/ Kelly/ TAA
    Mane/ KDB/ Traore/ Maddison/ Alli
    Vardy (c)/ DCL

    Bench:: Button/ Rico/ Lundstram/ Connolly

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

    Switch or save? 1FT
    A) Ramsdale > Fabianski
    B) Save

    Play one?
    A) Sidibe (mci)
    B) Kiko (wol)

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

    Ryan (button)
    Guilbert Soyunc Aurier (Lund 3.9)
    Salah(c) Alli KDB Maddison (Richarlison)
    Abraham Vardy Ings

    Wildcard this team or hold? I've been struggling in the last couple weeks

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      On paper it’s good but need a Liverpool defender

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

        thank you. That's the most helpful thing I've heard today. Good luck this week!

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

      Richarlison an expensive luxury

    3. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Aurier to a Liv defender either via Abraham down to 6m striker or Rich down, i would maybe go the first one as DCL/maupay/deeny is not that much down than Richarlison, not that many good options down that bracket for mids. Not sure i would do anything now though, GTG

      Guilbert.. Villa are pants

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

    Captain Kane, Alli or Vardy?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

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

        Cheers! 🙂

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

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

        Split vote! Cheers! 🙂

  16. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Selling Lord Lundstram should be a crime, punishable by death.

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

      Depends on value imo

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I am guilty

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

    Anything worth a transfer or save?

    Guaita
    Trent Aurier Lundstram
    Salah KDB Moura Mount Cantwell
    Aguero C Vardy

    Martin Greenwood Rico Kelly

    A) Mount to Adama
    B) Aurier to WHU def
    C) Save

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Save

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

    A- grealiah and rich
    Or
    B- ings and maddy

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

      *grealish

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

      B for me

    3. Stevie G
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  19. toxik
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Who is the most nailed on WHU defender please guys would like Masuaku but concerned he won't start if not Balbuena?

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

      I was all for going with a WHU defender but went for Kabasele in the end. Nailed and cheap!

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

      Fredericks

  20. davies
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gazza > Fab

    Yay or nay?

    1. toxik
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yay

  21. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    HNY people 🙂

    All GTG here?

    Ramsdale
    Kiko TAA Robertson
    KDB(vc) Maddison Grealish Mane
    Jimenez Vardy(C) Ings

    McCarthy Cantwell Kelly Lund

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice Liverpool triple !

    2. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Contemplating starting Kelly over Kiko personally!

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

        Not a bad shout actually, especially as a Jimenez owner....mmmmm

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

    FAO: Salah, Mane, KDB and Vardy owners!

    Who’s your captain?

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Verdy

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

      Flip a coin....i have all 4 too

  23. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one

    Richarlison (mci)
    Cantwell (CPL)
    Maupay (CHE)

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

      Rich

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

      tough one.. prob cantwell

    3. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rich

  24. willieprunier
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bench 1..

    Alli, Maddison, Grealish or Tammy?

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

    2. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish. His game looks like a 0-0

  25. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play one:
    A) Aurier
    B) Kelly?

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

      A

  26. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Start 1:

    A) Kabasele (WOL)
    B) Kelly (nor)

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

      B

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

    Gtg

    19 mins ago
    Hi people hows this? Captain pick ok? Bench order ok?

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

    Bench, Stekelenburg, greenwood, lundstram, dendoncker

  28. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Happy New Year folks! Armband has been on Vardy since the end of the last gameweek but very tempted to put it on Salah as I’m now chasing my ML leader and a decent overall rank which has slipped recently. Is there a solid case for captaining Mo over Jamie?

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

      No there's not. Salah is so disgusting now. I was burned by him last GW.

  29. Stevie G
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play one

    Grealish (bur)
    Cantwell (CRY)

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

    HELP!!! I have only just now found time to look at my team:

    Ryan (button)
    Guilbert Soyunc Aurier (Lund 3.9)
    Salah(c) Alli KDB Maddison (Richarlison)
    Abraham Vardy Ings

    1 FT 0.1 ITB

    A) GTG
    B) Rich > Willian
    C) Wildcard!! to:
    Fabiansky Button
    TAA Lund Soy Rico 3.9
    Mane Salah KDB Cantwell Grealish
    Vardy Cal-Lew Ings

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

      GTG