Carlo Ancelotti has been backed by the Express to axe Moise Kean from the side that beat Newcastle United and start Bernard when Everton travel to Manchester City on New Year’s Day.
Ancelotti favoured Kean alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin as we beat the Magpies on Saturday, with the £27.5million summer transfer from Juventus opening only his third Premier League game after playing a bit-part role under Marco Silva.
Kean was unable to open his Blues account at St. James’ Park having seen Martin Dubravka save each of his three on-target efforts, and is now without a goal in 18 appearances across all competitions.
Ancelotti is not expected to give Kean another chance and name the forward in his starting line-up at the Etihad on New Year’s Day, with it predicted that the boss will instead return Richarlison to the front line having played up top against Burnley on Boxing Day.
Should Ancelotti drop Kean against Man City?
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It is also expected that Ancelotti will return to the 3-4-1-2 shape used as we beat the Clarets 1-0, rather than the 4-4-2 we took to the field in at Newcastle.
The return to a three-man backline is thought to mean Yerry Mina returns to partner Michael Keane and Mason Holgate, while Lucas Digne takes over on the left-flank from Leighton Baines.
Djibril Sidibe, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Davies are expected to retain their places, while Bernard steps back into the opening squad after being an unused substitute at St. James’ Park.
Bernard has been a rarely seen part of the first-team this term, with the 14-time Brazil international only included in eight of a possible 20 starting line-ups in the Premier League and coming off the bench in a further four fixtures.
The 27-year-old started Ancelotti’s first game in charge against Burnley, when the star midfielder recorded 49 touches, three key balls, one shot, and three successful dribbles, per WhoScored data.
In other Everton news, the club expect to conclude a £19.5million deal.