Scout Reports

Can new Everton signing Allan improve the Toffees’ FPL clean sheet prospects?

Everton completed the signing of Allan (£5.5m) from Napoli a week before the start of the 2020/21 campaign, with the Brazilian putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

The central midfielder will be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti, who coached him for 18 months in Serie A.

While the subsequent capture of James Rodriguez (£7.5m) has perhaps overshadowed it, Allan’s move to Merseyside is still worthy of note from a Fantasy perspective.

The 29-year-old Brazil international likely won’t attract much interest in Fantasy Premier League himself, it should be said: a total of 12 league goals in a career spanning more than a decade is a strong indicator on that front.

The ex-Napoli man only once registered more than five assists in a single season in his eight-year stay in Serie A, meanwhile.

But it’s his potential impact on other Fantasy assets from Everton that we’ll be examining here, a topic that is perhaps even more pertinent given that Ancelotti’s troops sit near the top of our Season Ticker until December: the Toffees face all three newly promoted clubs and five teams who finished tenth or below in the Premier League last season in the first 11 Gameweeks of the new campaign.

PLAYING STYLE

A combative, all-action central midfielder, Allan was a much-needed capture for Everton given their woes in the middle of the park in 2019/20.

The sale of Idrissa Gueye and long-term absence of Jean-Philippe Gbamin (£5.0m) left the Toffees desperately short of defensive shields last season and Ancelotti’s persistence with a 4-4-2 only added to the problems, with Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.0m), Andre Gomes (£5.5m) and Tom Davies (£5.5m) all failing to convince when they were used in a two-man central midfield.

The immobile Sigurdsson especially isn’t suited to such a deep role in the middle of the park, while it’s no coincidence that Gomes’ form suffered without a Gueye-type anchor alongside him.

It soon became blindingly obvious that reinforcements would be needed in the engine room, especially if Ancelotti was to continue with his preferred formation.

He may not be exactly the same type of player as Gueye but Allan nevertheless fits the bill, with the player himself describing his playing style upon signing for the Toffees:

A strong part of my game is marking and the desire to go in to win absolutely every ball.

That is definitely a differential in my game and I believe with my desire I can put in really good performances to win over the fans.

I’ve been very competitive since I was a child; always wanted to win.

Everything we do in midfield and defence – winning a 50/50, winning a tackle or a one-on-one, clearing the ball – a lot of the time it’s like scoring a goal.

In the game, sometimes these things are very important.

At times it all seems so natural but a tackle, winning a one-on-one, clearing a ball; if it’s quite a tight game, we celebrate as if it’s a goal.

That’s about dedication and giving everything on the pitch.

Ancelotti said of his new recruit, meanwhile:

I think Allan is a fantastic player, he has fantastic energy and quality in midfield. I know him very well and he knows me.

Our supporters will love him because he plays with a lot of passion. He is a fantastic signing for us.

Tactically he is really good. Really strong defensively, he wins a lot of balls. He is aggressive and he is Brazilian, so he is able to do both – [contribute] with the ball and without the ball.

For sure, with Allan we are going to improve.

THE HISTORY

Born in Rio de Janeiro in January 1991, Allan’s senior career began in earnest with Vasco de Gama in his homeland.

After making 51 league appearances (without scoring) for the Brazilian outfit, Allan made the move to Udinese in July 2012.

Swiftly becoming a regular in Francisco Guidolin’s overachieving side, Allan spent three seasons with Il Bianconeri – helping them to a fifth-place finish in the first of them – before Napoli won the hotly contested race for his signature in July 2015.

His first three years in Naples were spent under Maurizio Sarri, with Allan very rarely used at the base of the midfield.

Rather, he was more commonly operating in the sort of role we saw N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) in during Sarri’s season-long stay at Stamford Bridge, playing to the side of a ball-playing ‘regista’ – namely Jorginho (£5.0m) – in a 4-3-3.

His attacking returns rose modestly as a result but, following Ancelotti’s appointment as Sarri’s successor in July 2018, the Brazilian was tasked with a more disciplined role in the central midfield two of a 4-4-2 – a system he may again be operating in on Merseyside.

Allan arrives in England off the back of his worst season in years.

A stop-start campaign that was littered with fitness issues ended badly, with Ancelotti sacked in December 2019, Allan falling out with new coach Gennaro Gattuso and losing his place, and Napoli slumping to their worst finish (seventh) in over a decade.

Allan in Serie A
SeasonStartsSub AppsGoalsAssists
2012/1333305
2013/1430303
2014/1533215
2015/1632335
2016/17191016
2017/1832645
2018/1928513
2019/2016721

Source: whoscored.com


Belatedly making his international debut in November 2018, Allan has been capped nine times by Brazil at the time of writing.

ALLAN V OTHER EVERTON MIDFIELDERS

Allan in Serie A
SeasonTackles won per 90 minsInterceptions per 90 minsClearances per 90 mins
2015/163.51.20.4
2016/173.91.40.8
2017/183.40.90.4
2018/193.61.30.9
2019/203.51.10.7

Source: whoscored.com




BEST PLAYERS BY POSITION:

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Keeping an eye on Soucek….anything else I should be bothered about?

    0.5 ITB for Ings > Martial

    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA VVD Taylor Targett Mitchell
    Salah Aubameyang ASM Soucek Bissouma
    Kane Ings Mitrovic.

    1. 824545201
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't see many points in that midfield, too reliant on Kane.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Potentially Salah > Bruno and Auba > KDB

      2. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        “Don’t see too many points in that midfield”

        Salah+Auba in the last two seasons have scored around 900 points with no captaincy addition.

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe one too many Liverpool at the back till fixtures turn but rest looks good

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kane to Wilson
      Biss to Son
      VVD to Lasceles
      Mitchell to WP

  2. John wick
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    a. Robbo and havertz
    b. TAA & Ziyech

    Plss suggest

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B probajoy

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A. And change H to Pulisic after gw1

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep Havertz

  3. Purse83
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed. Thoughts on this 433 please guys:

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Robbo Davies KWP (Mitchell)
    Salah Auba Son (Soucek Bissouma)
    Mitro Ings C.Wilson

  4. jam sandwich
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT PLZ

    McCarthy - Nyland
    TAA - Dier - Justin - Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - Auba - Havertz - ASM - Bissouma
    Kane - DCL - Adams

    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t fancy Kane to get going early. He’s looked leggy in both England games

  5. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rate my team (3-4-3):

    McCarthy - Steer

    TAA - van Dijk - Lascelles - Taylor - Buur

    Salah - Auba - Alli - Barnes - Bissouma

    Ings - Antonio - Mitrovic

  6. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    looks like I'm down to these decisions now:
    - 442 (Robbo) vs 352 (7.5 ish mid)
    - Son vs Alli vs both
    - whether to risk Martinez or not
    - which 4.5 mid if I do get Robbo... nearly there 😀

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Robbo Alli are good shouts

  7. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    It feels important to have a Wolves defender, but at the same time it's becoming a bit of a headache who's going to feature in that defence. As boring as Coady is, he might be the safest pick. Club captain, played every game last season.

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, I'm starting to think you're right. Saiss doesn't seemed to be completely nailed on in the Wolves defense, even if they play three at the back, whereas Coady is pretty much an assured pick if he's fit.

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What's wrong with Saiss? I'd have thought Coady Saiss Boly are nailed 100%

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        There's nothing wrong with him, Wolves are just confusing me. And I know Coady is 100% nailed.

      2. Hiroku
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Marçal has played LCB for Lyon so I guess there's a chance he could threaten Saiss, although I'm not convinced by this.

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          The fact it's a talking point is enough for me though. Coady is safer.

      3. The Mighty Hippo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saiss has been used in midfield before and could become a versatile bench option for Wolves. I think it's unlikely that he'll end up on the bench, however Marcel can cover the LCB position that Saiss has been taking up recently, so there is a bit of a risk there.

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think a watching brief till gw3-4 by the starting defence will be known

  8. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA
    Havertz, Salah, Son, Auba
    Werner

    Somehow squeezed them all in the same team and it's not bad.

    1. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think you are short of quite a few players

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes,

        Rest of starting 11:

        RYAN
        Dier, KWP
        ASM
        Mitro

      2. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        And crap on bench

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Your 0.5m short

          1. Maradona
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            This. The team is otherwise almost identical to mine but can’t figure out how you’ve got ASM even with two 4.0 defenders.

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think this will likely be starting team. Sound enough ? Ings to Martial probably week 2 move ( but flexibility to make a different move)

    McCarthy
    TAA Dier Justin
    Salah Aubameyang Alli ASM Soucek
    Werner Ings

    Button KWP Brewster Taylor

    1. i am jose mourinho
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zlatan says gtg

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good. You may find that planned transfer difficult if Ings does well.

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks- Salah to Bruno might turn out to be move

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          My own intention also

  10. SwissWavey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who's starting at LB for Chelsea GW1?
    With Chilwell out is there a case for Alonso playing?
    The longer transfer window means he can be sold later, right?

    1. Hiroku
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alonso looks most likely to start, although there's always a chance of Azpilicueta playing LB instead.

    2. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think Azpi on the left and James on right

  11. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    (A) Egan & Soucek

    (B) Walker-Peters & Saint Maximin

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

  12. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Only 5/15 of my squad with over 10% ownership. How about you folks? Template or not template?

    1. SwissWavey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      8 are over 10% but mine isn't template, I don't think

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      9 (10 with Nyland) and Havertz will be way over 10 by Friday

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      9 players over 10%

    4. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      9 at the mo.

      I thought the same as Swiss and “mine’s not template”.

    5. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      6/15 over 10%, a few are around 8-9% though so could easily be more by Friday

    6. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      10 over 10%. But mine not template. At least my defence isn’t.

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      9 over 10%

  13. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mccarthy (nyland)
    Taa Davies Justin (mitchell, taylor)
    Son Salah Auba Armstrong Soucek
    Werner Callum (brewster)

    Gw2 : son to bruno
    Gw3 ; auba to kdb

    2m itb. 1.5 for bruno so have 0.5

    Any swap about armstrong or soucek ?

  14. Captain Fozzy
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) ASM, Son, DCL
    B) Alli, Rodriguez, Adams
    C) Zaha, Rodriguez, DCL

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A out of those

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A for sure

  15. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    St Max / Mitrovic
    Or
    Soucek / Wilson

    1. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      first one is safer, but the New/Whu game could easily be 3-3

  16. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saw a post, without a source, saying that West Ham players are not training and they are arguing amongst themselves at the moment. I can't find anything on Google. Is this bollocks or is there any truth to it?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      can't see anything, think it's just people taking Noble's Diangana tweet too seriously

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Seen a similar post predicting that Moyes walks and advising to avoid WH assets.

  17. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Vinagre a no go now?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For now yes unless he stays at Wolves

  18. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pick one . Long term

    1. Mitrovic
    2. Callum
    3. DCL

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      3

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      3

    4. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

  19. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How nailed is armstrong?

    1. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      60/70 mins a game pretty nailed

  20. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    am i bonkers to start without arnold or any of liverpool defence?
    🙂

    1. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’d say yes but I’m a Liverpool fan so I’m biased aha

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        LoL

    2. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not bonkers, pool fixtures aren't that great so dont see much problem with waiting but would identify the £8m mid you're gonna swap him for in 3-4 weeks

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        thiago silva
        auba salah fraser son
        vardy werner mitrovic

  21. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Tierney?? Suddenly having doubts.. Still so attacking surely worth it for FUL/WHU

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Could be but one for later in season once we see how Arsenal set up and start season

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends whether he’s playing lb or lcb

      1. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah. Fixtures and LWB in a three and he’s in a lot of squads irrelevant of form.

        LCB or LB without fixtures and it’s hard to justify without form.

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      very attacking, seems to make it into most of my drafts too.

  22. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So is Doherty still an option? Aurier is still there and played 90s back to back in preseason.

    1. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wasn’t that whilst Doherty was away on internationals?

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Good point

  23. Kloppcorn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do Newcastle’s new signings boost the appeal of ASM? What do you guys think

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no boost the appeal of wilson 😉

    2. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think so yeah.

    3. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, more speed and creativity around him means more space

  24. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Drop McCarthy or KWP?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      mcarthy

    2. Kloppcorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends who the other options are

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mc > Ryan if don't want double Saints defence?

  25. Samwise
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    currently have Doherty and dier but considering replacing one, who do you think is the best option?

    1. leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      dier to sheff or wolves defender

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dier > Saiss maybe Egan and keep your eye on R.James.

  26. Purse83
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Ings & C.Wilson in a 433

    Or

    B) Werner & ASM in 442

  27. jaredwilliams
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (Button)
    TAA - Doherty - KWP (Justin - Mitchell)
    Auba - Salah - Son - Saka (Soucek)
    Werner - Metro - Adams

    Pretty stoked. What are our thoughts?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Justin, Mitchell, Saka, Adams very poor - don’t think you will get a great amount of consistent minutes from them

  28. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If Olly Watkins signs for Villa another 6.5 m option or do you think would be higher or lower ?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      6.0m all day for me.

  29. John wick
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any updates on Brewster

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Whats a buur and why should you have it

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If you are a dog they get stuck in your ears

    2. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      An ubuur defence, perhaps?