‘They’ll have a problem with me’: Ancelotti sends message to two Everton stars

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Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has set an ambitious target to two of his key players this season.

The Toffees have started the season brilliantly, winning their first two league games. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been their star, scoring four times already, but his striker partner Richarlison is yet to find his feet in the league.

Ancelotti has reverted to a 4-3-3 after deploying a 4-4-2 in almost every game last season. That has pushed the Brazilian a little deeper but, with possession, he is often seen higher up the pitch, just like Calvert-Lewin.

Everton’s brand new midfield has given them a huge boost already. Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez have all been excellent and Ancelotti has raised the bar as a result.

The Toffees boss has set an ambitious target to his two strikers. He expects Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison to score 20 goals each by the end of the season, otherwise, ‘they will have a problem’ with him.

He said: “I hope he (Calvert-Lewin) can reach the target of 20 goals. Behind them, we have James, Andre Gomes, Sigurdsson. Our strikers (Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison) have to be happy. Bernard, also, an assist man. They are comfortable. If they don’t score at least 20 goals each, they’ll have a problem with me.” (Liverpool Echo)

That is a stern message from the Everton boss, but it is the right thing to do. The Toffees lacked creativity in the final third last season but, despite that, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin managed to score 13 goals each in the Premier League.

With a hugely bolstered midfield, it is fair for Ancelotti to demand more from his two front men. If Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin can bag a combined 40 goals this term, it will bolster Everton’s chances of finishing in one of the European spots massively.

Everton scored just 44 goals in total in the league last term. That, in the end, cost them a place in the top half of the league table. But, with added creativity, anything less than 60 goals would be a poor return.