Everton’s New-Look Midfield
Taking a brief look at how Everton’s new midfield fared in their 1-0 win away to Tottenham.
Everton started their season off in the best possible way, a 1-0 win away to Top-4 contenders Tottenham Hotspur. Before the match, all eyes were understandably on Everton’s new look midfield, with them completing deals for Allan from Napoli, James Rodriguez from Real Madrid and Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford. Fortunately fro Everton, they did not disappoint, with each of three adding quality and showcasing what they will bring to Everton this season. Here is brief look at each of their performances:
Allan:
Allan was everywhere on the pitch, showcasing his range of passing and industry as he controlled the game with relative ease.
Key Stats:
55 Passes (84% Completion)
16 Progressive Passes (Passes that progress the ball 10-Meters or into the Penalty Box)
1 Take-On (100% Success)
8 Recoveries
4 Tackles (75% Success)
2 Interceptions
24 Pressures (42% Success)
His pass map and defensive action zones can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Allan v Tottenham Hotspur (September 13, 2020)
Abdoulaye Doucoure:
Doucoure displayed what he will add to this Everton side, combining his energy and industry with some neat touches to put in an accomplished performance.
Key Stats:
57 Passes (84% Completion)
11 Progressive Passes (Passes that progress the ball 10-Meters or into the Penalty Box)
2 Take-On (100% Success)
2 Recoveries
2 Tackles (100% Success)
2 Interceptions
17 Pressures (35% Success)
3 Chances Created
His pass map and defensive action zones can be seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Doucoure v Tottenham Hotspur (September 13, 2020)
James Rodriguez:
Arguably the star performer, James was sensational. Added a spark of creativity to Evertons midfield, showcasing some brilliant touches and passes. His partnership with Richarlison, in particular, looked very promising.
Key Stats:
56 Passes (84% Completion)
3 Take-Ons (75% Success)
5 Recoveries
2 Tackles (100% Success)
4 Interceptions (Team High)
5 Chances Created (Game High)
0.3 Expected Assists
His pass map and defensive action zones can be seen in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Rodriguez v Tottenham Hotspur (September 13, 2020)
Stats: StatsZone, Whoscored, Statsbomb via FBRef
