The transfer of James Rodriguez could change the current tactical outlook of Carlo Ancelotti at Everton.
Ancelotti used a flexible 4-4-2 system after his mid-season appointment last term which looked to emphasise the attacking threat of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But the Everton manager has worked previously with Rodriguez at Real Madrid where they enjoyed a positive relationship.
That is believed to have played a prominent role in the Colombian superstar potentially re-joining Ancelotti and statistics show the combination can flourish again.
Rodriguez would become one of the main creators in the Everton midfield and he ranks well across the board compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.
The 29-year-old proved to be a frequent creator with 0.33 Expected Assists (xA) and 3.97 open-play shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.
Furthermore, he registered a high output of non-penalty goals with 0.37 per 90 minutes as well as 2.47 passes into the penalty area.
What does this tell us? That Rodriguez will bring added quality in attacking positions - exactly what Everton need.
Alex Iwobi, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Theo Walcott and others in the current squad present a different type of threat but arguably far less than James.
But where Ancelotti will use him becomes the next consideration.
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Playing in the wide-attacking role of a 4-4-2 shape would struggle to get the best out of Rodriguez in terms of his play-making abilities from central attacking areas.
In the graphic below, we see where he has operated in terms of receiving passes and making movements to receive possession again.
Rodriguez’s passes received and movements made since 2018/19 (Image: Twenty3)
Rodriguez and his impressive statistical numbers partly come as a result of him playing in a certain role.
That role is perhaps less applicable to a traditional 4-4-2 system than it is 4-3-3 or other set-ups that allow for an advanced-playmaker.
This presents a question for Ancelotti and his current system.
Perhaps the most obvious suggestion would be a change in shape that allows Rodriguez to be the link between Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin.
The expected arrivals of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure would further strengthen the ability to immediately shift to a 4-3-3 for the new campaign.
Working with Ancelotti once again - in a system that suits him - can allow Rodriguez to become the main man at Everton.
Data used in the article from Statsbomb.
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