[ad_1]
There is no doubt about a team that leaves Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal on the road in the same week. Less if he concedes only one goal against, less if on the road he overcomes key absences due to physical problems.
And that forces James Rodríguez, one of those marginalized by physical problems, to hasten his recovery if he wants to re-enter the dynamics of a winning team. He has 48 hours to overcome the calf problem that took him out of the race and a defined position to attack: Alex Iwobi’s.
Although it seems that Sigurdsson has been the man who, with two assists and registered mid-distance charges, has occupied the place of the left-hander, the reality is that the Icelandic opened space more for his ability to mark and the first pass in the first row of flyers, which as third attacker, from the right, place that Ancelotti has assigned to James without any discussion.
That is why the Colombian’s ‘friendly fire’ should target Alex Iwobi more than Sigurdsson, whose place is fixed, at least as long as Allan continues to be out due to a long-term injury.
The Nigerian has become a wild card for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has known how to use him as a right back and as a right winger, although his usual demarcation was that of number 9.
Iwobi played little at Arsenal and went almost reluctantly to an Everton in which he soon understood that the shadow of Calvert-Lewin was too great, with which it was better to offer to relieve the Colombian, who already has two casualties due to physical problems. Your balance? He has had to support another improvised in his position, Holgate as right back, and that sacrifice has been highly valued by his DT. He has high peaks when he starts at speed and adds two assists, but it must also be said that the decisions he makes in front of the door are criticized, which is almost normal since he is only 24 years old.
His main problem, in any case, is called James Rodríguez. “He’s in a difficult position, Iwobi, because Rodriguez is still inescapable if he’s physically fit to face Manchester United in the middle of the week (this Wednesday, 3:00 pm Colombian time). Where would that leave Iwobi? Probably on the bench. “explains the Liverpool Echo newspaper. It is said in Liverpool, not here, for those who believe that the Colombian is defended too much in their country.
Of course, the fans recognize the Nigerian for much more dedication and sacrifice in brand, a definitive point in the recovery of the team in the last games and in the victories that have him today as third in the Premier League. They are the same people who have criticized James for not supporting such ‘dirty work’, forcing him to put in one more mile if he wants to get the job out of Iwobi.
“Ancelotti clearly values it and it is another point in the long list of recent success stories that are beginning to prosper under his management,” says the aforementioned media, which in any case recognizes that in the consideration of Ancelotti there are no doubts about the ownership of the Colombian left-hander.
The return match should be, according to everyone’s accounts in Everton, this Wednesday, against Manchester United, for the Carabao Cup. It is nothing less than the team that comes from scoring six goals against Leeds in the Premier and has already realized those of Ancelotti in the past (he won 1-3, with the left-hander in the field).
Ancelotti no longer asks for so much luxury as commitment: “We are not playing fantastic football in attack but the spirit is really strong. We won these three games because of that spirit,” he declared. James will have to take note if he wants to regain his role and not give more advantages in Everton: the time to raise his voice is now.
