James Rodríguez and Everton is a constant story between perception and reality: does the team really improve when its star is missing? They are three victories in a row while he was out, against none other than Chelsea (1-0), Leicester (0-2) and Arsenal (2-1). Pure reality. But the perception is not entirely damning for the Colombian.
It is true that in these three outings no goals were conceded, the great mole of the team in the previous weeks; that Alex Iwobi has fit perfectly in his place and that the team defends itself, in real terms, better than 17 days ago, when the Colombian played his last duel against Burnely (1-1).
But statistics, that very English fascination, does not necessarily support that idea. According to the Wyscout site, the southpaw averaged 5.74 successful defensive actions per 90 this season. While it is the lowest score, it is only slightly lower than Andre Gomes (5.92) and it is not that far from the much-mentioned Iwobi (6.72).
In addition, in the last three games there was a tactical change that is not minor: against Chelsea, the coach forgot his rigid 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 schemes and went to a 4-4-1-1 . And then, against Leicester, they surprised with a 4-2-3-1, which was repeated against Arsenal. That adjustment made the team less vulnerable and gave the men behind more support.
As the Liverpool Echo newspaper explains, that adjustment meant that it was not a single midfielder, Allan, but at least two who distributed loads, which were not so clear in 4-3-3, and that Doucouré acquired the enormous visibility that he has today:
“The benefit of this is that it is easier for central midfielders to break attacks against each other more efficiently without overloading themselves … They can also step in to form a more robust defensive line when needed, going from four to five or even to six, which allows to exploit fewer spaces in the rival area “.
So no, Everton, as coach Carlo Ancelotti said recently, does not improve substantially just because the Colombian does not play, despite what it may seem, because at the end of the day his signing was not for defensive tasks.
“Although few will care how goals have been scored, it is worth mentioning that attacking efficiency has decreased without Rodríguez, highlighted by just two of Everton’s five goals in play against Chelsea, Leicester and Arsenal, as well as an own goal,” warns the specialized newspaper.
But that Everton looks better without the number 19 is the type of idea that is installed and that can only be denied by way of facts, with minutes of play, with presence on the court, precisely what James does not contribute today, just Today there is a key duel against Manchester United for the Carabao Cup (3:00 pm Colombian time), that there are only Boxing Day against Sheffield United and Manchester City on the agenda for this 2020.
Again, the benefit is that the team values him, the manager is behind him and the people in Liverpool still have the patience to finally see him at Goodison Park. There are many reasons to be excited about returning with an even more compensated team that can help you do your offensive work better. But you have to recover now, return and not give more advantages. It cannot be that the argument at the end of the season is injuries. No again.
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