Following Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival as Everton’s permanent manager, things have begun to look up on the blue half of Merseyside.
The Italian has tasted defeat just twice in the Premier League since taking over the reins, and the upturn in form has seen them climb the table – they now lie just three points behind seventh-placed Tottenham.
But one man who evidently hasn’t caught the bug, is Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Iceland international has remained a disappointingly poor performer even under Ancelotti, registering no goals and just one assist in nine games across all competitions.
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The fact he remains in the first-team picture, is more a recognition that Everton simply don’t have anyone else who has the same qualities as the former Swansea ace ie a creative play-maker, who can pick out a cute pass and get the best out of the two strikers.
But if the latest reports are to be believed, then the Toffees could well find the man to replace Sigurdsson and provide that final piece of the jigsaw, in Lazio’s Luis Alberto. According to Italian publication Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), the midfielder has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe, and that Ancelotti “would see him gladly at Everton in the future”.
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A swoop for Alberto would bring them exactly what they are missing with the under-performing Sigurdsson: creativity. As per Whoscored, the former averages a quite remarkable three key passes per game in Serie A, whilst he also manages 2.1 dribbles and 2.8 shots too. In terms of his play-making skills, he is at the very top of Italian football’s top-flight when it comes to key passes.
His tally of 14 assists across all competitions proves he has the ability to unlock doors, and provide ammunition for his teammates to feed off. And with reports linking Sigurdsson with a potential exit in the summer, Alberto could be the man to come in and finally complete Ancelotti’s team.
Meanwhile, this Everton ace produced a shocking display against Manchester United.