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. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Guys...any suggestions if I have got the bench Vs playing 11 right -
    Hendo
    Kelly Rico Evans
    Mane KDB Alli grealish
    Vardy(c) aguero maupay

    Bench - 4.0 aurier, gross, Lundstrum

  2. 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

    1FT

    Any ideas? Aurier for Gomez? Alli for someone? No money ITB

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

    A. Abraham > Jimenez / DCL

    B. Grealish > Traore

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

      V

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

        B

    2. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Abra to jimemez

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

    Need help which wc team??
    Chasing in ml

    Team A
    Ryan
    Taa, soy, gomez
    Mane, Kdb, traore, maddy
    Vardy, Rashford, ings
    Subs- McGovern, kiko, lund, 4.3

    Or
    Team B
    Pope
    Taa, soy, kiko
    Salah, mane, Kdb, trossard, traore
    Vardy, ings
    Subs- McGovern, lund, Greenwood, 3.9

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

      A

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

    Happy new year folks! Some help would be appreciated!

    Start one of :
    1) Adama traore
    2) ings

    Captain :
    A) Vardy
    B) mane
    C) KDB

    Cheers!

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

      2 and B

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

      2a

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

      2A

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      2A

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

    Anything to change here? Or save the FT?

    Gazzaniga
    Gomez Soyuncu Aurier
    Mane(VC) KDB Martial Mahrez
    Vardy(C) Abraham Rashford

    Button; Cantwell Rico Lundstram

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

      Save, nice team

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      As a Mahrez owner also, how confident are you that he will start?

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

        Not very. But Man City fans seem to think he will. Think I will leave for today and then think about getting Maddison/Alli in next GW.

        1. Balls of Steel
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Was thinking that he may start this one alright..also considering moving to Maddison.

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

    Captain...

    A - Vardy
    B - KDB
    C - Mane

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

      A

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

      A

  8. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Traore
    B) Maddison

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

      A

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

      B

    3. Clutchy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Bench 1:

    A) Soy (NEW A)
    B) Kelly (NOR A)
    C) Rico (WHU A)

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

      B

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      Have all 3, currently benching C (do have Ramsdale in goal though).

    4. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    5. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Any thoughts on plans?

    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

  11. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Own both Ings and Maupay, should I swap either to DCL?

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

      Yes, Maupay

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

      No. DCL won’t keep this up.

  12. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Jimenez for Abraham???
    B) Gomez for Holgate???

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

      A

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

      I'd save, jimenez on form and gomez will be good for dgw

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Think he means the other way around, i.e. Jimi coming in for Abe. Weird way to list it though if so, considering 97% of people on the site do it the other way ha

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

      B

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B and A later

  13. darkmatt3r
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go? I have 2ft 0.1itb
    I'd like to bring TAA back but the only way I feel I can do it is downgrading Ali or Kane but I can't see any obvious replacements! Any advice or better options would be appreciated I have 2ft 0.1itb

    Pope
    Aurier Chilwell Kelly
    KDB(v) Mane Alli Traore
    Vardy(c) Jimenez Kane
    Subs
    Heaton Rico Dendonc Lundstram

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Kane to Ings or maybe Tammy.

  14. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Anything I should change? Or gtg?

    1 FT, 0.1 ITB

    Gazzaniga
    Gomez Soyuncu Aurier
    Mane(VC) KDB Martial Mahrez
    Vardy(C) Abraham Rashford

    Button; Cantwell Rico Lundstram

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

    Lots saying Vardy for C. Is there any reason other than definite starter?

    I would assume Newcastle will sit deep against Leicester and therefore there will be little room for Vardy in behind. Also, Newcastle generally don’t seem to concede too many at home. Someone convince me.

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Newcastle haven't had tough home fixtures. The only one of the top teams they have faced is City where they conceded 2 and City had over 30 shots (over 20 of which were on target). Vardy is rested, in great form and might have an extra twinkle in his eye with a new sprog on the scene. Think Newcastle has a few injury concerns at the back too.

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

        Cheers. I’m convinced!

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          No problem

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

    Lots on here saying to captain Vardy. Is there any reason other than definite starter?

    I would assume Newcastle will sit deep against Leicester and therefore there will be little room for Vardy in behind. Also, Newcastle generally don’t seem to concede too many at home. Someone convince me.

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      See above ha

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

    On wc
    Chasing in ml and no one has salah
    Mane or salah??
    Ryan
    Taa, soy, gomez
    Salah/mane, Kdb, maddy, traore
    Vardy, Rashford, ings
    4.0, kiko, lund, 4.3

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

    Get rid of Abe for Jimenez/Ings/DCL or Grealish for Traore?

  19. Benditlike
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2FT and 1.2 ITB. No obvious transfers. Considering Grealish -> Sarr. What do you think?

    Current team:
    Pope
    TAA, Digne, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Grealish
    Rashford, Ings, Vardy

    Button, Cantwell, Kelly, Lundstram

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

      I'd say eoither that or get rid of Pope for someone like Hendo

  20. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Going for the Vardy party! (c)

  21. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    A) Grealish
    B) Traore

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

    A. Abraham > Jimenez

    B. Grealish > Traore

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

  23. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    A) Traore
    B) Grealish

  24. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Traore
    B) Maddison

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

    Aurier -> Soy?

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

    Yes

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

    Early thoughts..

    Kane and Taylor/Rico ➡ Robertson and Jimenez?

  28. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    2ft

    Alli+gwood>ings/jimmez+cantwell

  29. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    On wrong page.

    Any 3,9 playing defender?
    Reid or Simpson maybe?