During an interview with Betfair, Rivaldo has urged Allan to move to Goodison Park this summer. The Napoli midfielder has been courted by Everton, and the Brazilian legend believes that he could really prosper under Carlo Ancelotti.
Rivaldo told Betfair, “He is a good player who might be useful for Everton. The move would also give him more visibility as he tries to get some more selections for the national team ahead of the Copa America in 2021 and World Cup in 2022.”
Allan: The complete midfielder?
Since arriving at Napoli back in 2015, Allan has established himself as one of Serie A’s top central midfielders. He has already made over 200 competitive appearances for the club, helping Napoli compete with Juventus over the years.
Notoriously known for his ability to break up play and clear out loose balls in midfield, Allan is a proper central midfielder, who is always aware of his defensive chores. The Brazilian has an excellent sense of positioning that allows him to make important interceptions.
Another key asset of Allan’s game is his ball circulation. He has managed to attain over 87% of pass completion rate in each of the past three seasons in Serie A. Also, the 29-year-old is capable of carrying the ball across the final third, making him a well-rounded central midfielder.
Is Rivaldo right about Allan and Everton?
Allan has had a relatively tricky campaign at Napoli this season. He has suffered from numerous fitness problems that saw his game-time minimised to just over 1,000 minutes in league football. The change of managers, combined with the arrivals of Diego Demme and Stanislav Lobotka, haven’t helped either.
Everton could be an excellent destination for Allan should he choose to leave Napoli in the summer. The Brazilian will get to reunite with Ancelotti. He is also more likely to get regular opportunities in the first-team along with the chance of proving his worth in arguably the most competitive league in the world.
Indeed, Allan’s potential success in the Premier League could significantly boost his chances of being selected in the Brazilian national team for the 2022 World Cup. And in that respect, Rivaldo is definitely right to suggest an Everton move for the Napoli midfielder.
Where does Allan fit in at Everton?
Everton have loads of options in the midfield department but very few reliable ones. Morgan Schneiderlin is in the final phase of his career while Andre Gomes and last summer’s marquee signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin have both struggled with injuries. Youngster Beni Baningime, meanwhile, is yet to make his breakthrough in senior football.
Allan, therefore, should not find it difficult to make himself a regular fixture in the Everton midfield. He will be a significant upgrade over Fabian Delph and given his leadership and style of play; the Brazilian could potentially become an asset for the Toffees.
