[ad_1]
Allan can’t help but have a wry smile on his face.
He was asked if he ever kicked his Everton teammate James Rodriguez in his time playing against each other, and the answer that followed will come as no surprise to Blues fans.
The Brazilian admitted: “Yes once or twice, and once or twice in training as well!”
That’s the competitive advantage that has defined the 29-year-old throughout his career. Someone ultra-competitive, determined to win as long as he has the ball at his feet.
Off the court, however, the behavior is different. The midfielder often smiles, is much more relaxed in conversation, and despite speaking through a translator on Zoom, he is courteous and attentive to questions.
All of that, of course, will fly out the window this weekend.
Liverpool visit Goodison Park for the 237th Merseyside Derby with Everton seeking their first win over their closest rivals in 10 years.
While this will be Allan’s first appearance in this particular match, Jurgen Klopp’s team is a familiar opponent from the Brazilian’s time with Napoli.
Carlo Ancelotti described the midfielder as the best player on the field when the Serie A team drew 1-1 at Anfield last November, and he hopes the coach will use similar tactics this time.
“Professor Ancelotti and his coaching staff are very smart and prepare for every detail to face the opposition. Through that we come out on top most of the time against Liverpool,” Allan commented.
“Every game against Liverpool is tough, but thank God we got through it most of the time and hopefully Saturday will be no different.
“We are playing at home and hopefully we will have a great game and get a victory that will be very important for us.”
“Yes, obviously, we are aware [of Everton’s derby drought] and it’s not a good album, it’s not a good thing and we’ve heard it.
“But we are starting a new season, it is a new group of players and we have to look to put on a great game on Saturday and break this ten-year taboo.”
“We know our quality, we are in very good shape, we have had great games and God willing, we can maintain this form as we have played before and get all three points to the delight of the Everton fans.
“We know that it is a derby, it is against our rival and we want to add the three points. We know that we can give everything and help the team to get these three points.”
The nickname ‘Professor Ancelotti’ is one that surfaced over the summer to the delight of Everton fans.
Both Allan and Rodriguez referred to their manager in these terms when they made their respective moves to Goodison Park in early December.
But what is the reason behind the term darling?
Allan replied: “In Italy we tended to refer to the coach as ‘Mister’, which is the case with all coaches, but Carlo Ancelotti is a great guy, a very high quality coach who manages to have all the players ready to be” . able to intervene and help at any time. He manages to keep all the players satisfied, motivated and happy.
“I think I refer to him as a teacher because of the way he reads the game, the way he prepares for the games and the relationship he has with the players.
“He brings out the best in us. He’s generally a teacher and if you look at his history and success in the game, he speaks for himself.”
“He’s won everywhere he’s been and he’s the kind of person who deserves these kinds of better words to describe him.”
Hearing that description from Ancelotti, it makes perfect sense to see Allan follow his former coach to Merseyside after he made the decision to leave Napoli.
Everton are flying high at the top of the Premier League table.
And this weekend, Liverpool will visit Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby.
Sign up for our EFC newsletter for the best Toffee coverage of Phil Kirkbride, Adam Jones and the rest of the ECHO team ahead of the big game.
However, that’s not all, you’ll get the latest breaking news from Everton straight to your inbox, as well as analysis, opinion and much more.
How do I sign up?
It is free, easy and very fast.
- First, click this link to our newsletter subscription center.
- Once you’re there, put your email address where it says at the top, then click on the Everton FC newsletter. There are also others if you want them too.
- When you’ve made your choice, hit the Update Preference button at the bottom.
That’s! Your emails will reach your inbox from then on. It’s that easy.
He admits there was interest from other clubs, but he had no hesitation once the Blues made their move.
“There were certainly other offers and interest from elsewhere, but Everton had been interested in signing me from the beginning,” added the midfielder.
“They showed this desire, both Carlo Ancelotti and the manager, to have me here as a player, when you see this commitment and that Everton became interested in me, I didn’t have to think twice.
“I put the other offers aside and concentrated on signing for Everton.
“Certainly working with Carlo Ancelotti weighed heavily on my decision, also the size of Everton as a club. I didn’t have to think about it too much. It was a good choice and I hope to contribute to a great season for the club.”
Allan has helped revitalize the midfield alongside his summer partner Abdoulaye Doucoure, who arrived at Goodison a few days after the Brazilian.
Everton have secured seven straight wins in all competitions so far in 2020, and the pair have played a crucial role in all three Premier League matches that have started together.
However, Allan is willing to suggest that the new signings have added to the quality that is already in the club, while also admitting his love of playing in that position.
“Sure, as a deep midfielder who helps the defense and supports the defense, sometimes a really important tackle is like a goal or an assist and I celebrate it,” he said.
“We are trying to do our best and the most important thing is to get the three points, so it doesn’t matter who scores, be it Richarlison, Dominic, James or one of the centrals.
“The important thing is to get the three points and get the victory. If at the end of the season I manage to score some goals that will make me really very happy but my preference is to be at the top of the table instead of scoring goals.” .
“I think there was already quality here with the players here, and me and Doucoure just added to that quality that was already here.
“Our teammates, the existing pool of quality players, welcomed us very well, and we just added something to that.
“I hope we can contribute throughout the season and help the team have a great season.”
If the campaign continues along the same lines it started, they will surely achieve that goal.
[ad_2]
