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. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all, and a Happy New Year!

    Quick one - Traore or Grealish for the next 5-6 weeks?

    Thanks!

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

      Traore

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

      Traoré.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish

    4. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If you need extra funds then Traore...otherwise - Grealish is one class above him.

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

      Adama unless Villa get a new manager/show some other definitive signs of turning things round.

    6. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ah, split. I don’t need the funds this week, but I will do for the pool triple up in 24. So it’s whether to hold for another week, I guess...

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

      Traore. Villa is awful and Grealish plays bit too deep for my taste.

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

    Happy New Year!

    Bench one:

    A) Abraham
    B) Zaha
    C) Traore

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B

    4. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If your not playing zaha this week,then no point having him in your team, waste of a spot and money.

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

        That's what I am thinking.Will get rid of him next GW so will probably bench one from A or C. Who would you bring from next week? Have KDB Mane and Alli

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

          If you dont have rashford I'd go for martial

      2. Big Ping
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Poor logic

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

          Mine is?
          You can have your opinion, but I wouldn't put myself into having bench a 6.7 mill mf away to Norwich.
          I prefer to have money invested in my 11, and have solid bench options who will start and return 2/3 when I need them

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

    play richarlison over any of these?

    mane alli martial sarr
    vardy abraham ings

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

      Not this week, no.

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

    Gazzaniga
    Rico-Soyuncu-TAA
    Sterling(с)-Alli-Mount-KDB
    Ings-Abraham-Vardy

    Martin-Cantwell-Digne-Lundstram

    2FT, 0,6 ITB

    Help pls.
    Next GW i want bring Richarlison and DCL in, but what to do now?
    Gazza->somebody?

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

      Gazza to virtually any keeper!!!

  5. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? Simpson to Williams (utd)?
    Pope TAA Lundstarm
    Salah KDB Martial Moura
    Kane Rashford Jiminez

    Button Williams Targett Guendouzi Simpson

    Cheers

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

    Best transfer burn for this week? Planning for the long term...

    A) Kelly --> Kabasele
    B) Guaita --> Ryan

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

      B

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

    Wc activated
    G2g
    Ryan
    Taa, soy, gomez
    Mane, Kdb, traore, mardy
    Vardy(c), Rashford, ings
    Subs- McGovern, kiko, lund, oriol

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

      *Maddy

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

        Decent

    2. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      gomez, rash > anyone, salah possible?

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

        * and change to 352 obv

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Looks very good. Padraig the Great I presume?

  8. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain?

    A) Aguero
    B) Rash
    C) Aguero > Vardy (C) FT

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

      C

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

      Give Aguero the armband

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

      A

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

    Bottomed. The only reason I’m tempted to sell Grealish is that he’s playing against Burnley today and I have pope in goal. Don’t see any other sense in selling him this gw. Is that reason enough to sell?

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

      Nope. But sell anyway.

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

      The fact you're talking about selling him rather than talking about any particular replacement you want to bring in suggests you shouldn't sell.

      Disclaimer: I sold Grealish this week for Traore.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. That’s the dilemma. Dump him for traore this gw or keep and reassess with 2 fts next gw. He’s got decent returns in the last few gws.

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No, you having pope isnt going to change the output for grealish.
      It's a conflict of interest in the match, but I wouldn't be selling someone I wanted to keep, based on him playing my gk.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Play Cantwell or Grealish?

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

      3rd time question has been asked in last 2-3 pages.

      Read back to get a number of answers.

    2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Play the one who is garunteed to start and more likely to score or assist

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

    Help needed... 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

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Mount, Tammy > Martial, Jimenez

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

        This

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

      Cheers

  12. MTFCfan50
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tomori to Gomez. Yes or no? Have TAA and Salah already. Fancy the double Liverpool defence but would need a hit to downgrade elsewhere for Robertson or VVD. Gomez nailed now or out once Matip or Lovren return?

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

      I brought in Gomez for this GW alone after which I will bring in Sidibe

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

    Hi all.

    Long term, which goalkeeper?

    A. Foster
    B. Ryan
    C. Fabs

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Saw many going Fabs.. I brought Ryan in tho personally

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I just bought ramsdale.. left field, but fancy him to do better than fabs, even with his double, at least until gw25

  14. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    C?
    A. Mane
    B. KdB
    C. Vardy
    D. Rashy

    Play?
    1. Cantwell
    2. Grealish

    1. JoeSoap
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C1

  15. PikeyMikey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking about bringing pulisic in for Maddison.. worth a punt?
    1FT

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

      No way

    2. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nope don't do it

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

    Hendo to Fab with an FT? Surely scores better over the next few and while the double is tough it is a double regardless

    1. subhojit123
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I won't go west ham mate

  17. Sailboats
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play Kelly or Rico?

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Rico

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

      Rico

    3. MyBall MyRules
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly.
      West Ham new manager bounce and Bournemouth playing badly atm.

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

    GTG ?
    Henderson
    Digne,Sidibie , Doherty
    Salah,KDB,Sterling,Alli,Martial
    Maupay, Pukki

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

      Yeap.

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

      Not sure about double Everton defence at the best of times but against City away? No chance. What other defenders do you have?

  19. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guys,

    Who should I captain from this team:

    Ryan
    TAA - Soy - Lundstram
    Salah - KDB - Alli - Zaha
    Kane - Vardy - Ings

    Button - Kelly - Dendoncker - Rico

    Thanks and good luck to all with the GW.

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

      Vardy.

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

      On Vardy and have similar options

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

      Vardy

  20. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    70 pts chasing in ML.Still plenty of time to cover right?

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

      Yeah.

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

      Absolutely

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

      yes

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

      I fell 50 behind in 2 weeks so yes.

    5. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah with the GGWs & BGWs to come

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

        *DGWs

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

      Easily.

      Especially with DGW, WC and chips still to play.

    7. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yep.. Personally, once I chased 100+ points during boxing day if I remeber correctly.. . The time Chelsea players going absolute bonkers.. Hazard Alonso.. Without me having them, thus by planning thoroughly during that season.. Regained my lead in my ML on DGW34..

      1. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        And won it ofcourse haha

  21. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Cantwell + Richarlison
    To
    Traoure and Martial?

    2FT
    Still leaves 0.8

    ?

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

      Wouldnt ditch Rich.

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

      First two could match second two though prefer TM

  22. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    21. Ali>Martial
    22. Rash/Aurier>DCL/TAA
    23. Jimmy>Ings
    24. Soyu>Robbo

    (Don't normally plan far ahead but needed to get Pool players and had 2 FTs this week. Keeper an issue 22/25)

    Pope, Gazza
    Rico, TAA, Robbo, Kelly, Lundy
    Maddy, KDB, Martial, Salah, Dendo
    Vardy, Ings, DCL

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

    Play 1:

    A) Kabasele
    B) Kelly

    1. subhojit123
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  24. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Still a bit of dilemma as to which 2 I should play for this GW -
    1. Grealish
    2. Gross
    3. Ayew

  25. Dannywaz
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    He'll not play today.. salah

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Says who

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Oh you did the old he's playing tomorrow thing

      • Ha.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        JWP loves a goal against Spurs, right?

      • Imrie
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        HNY!

        Thoughts on any of these ( 2 FTs)

        A: Aurier > Kelly
        B: Grealish > Traore
        C: Madisson > Martial

        Personally leaning to B this week and A&C next.

      • Muscout
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Best West Ham assets for DGW?
        Who’s guaranteed most minutes?

        1. MyBall MyRules
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Fab is the only one of interest as it stands.
          See what Moyes does over the next 2 and hope that someone steps up.

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

          Fabianski is the only one I'll be considering.

      • Bookmark
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Cap
        1 Salah
        2 Mane
        3. KDB
        4. Vardy

        Gtg?
        Gazza
        Taa Kelly Rico
        Salah Mane Kdb Maddison Grealish
        Vardy Abraham

        Button Greenwood Lundstram Williems

      • Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Play Digne or Aurier?