A few Everton fans have been reacting on social media after Gylfi Sigurdsson claimed that the recent improvements seen under Carlo Ancelotti are just the beginning of what can be achieved under the Italian.
Ancelotti has overseen two wins from two games in charge since succeeding Marco Silva on December 21, with the Blues triumphant at home to Burnley on Boxing Day before winning away to Newcastle United.
The affairs also saw Everton boast more shots than any other Premier League side, with the club striking 43 efforts on goal, though it is not only in attack that Sigurdsson feels Ancelotti has already worked some magic.
“We’ve conceded only one goal in the last two games and that’s helped us,” Sigurdsson told the club’s official website. “I think we have been solid defensively. Passing-wise, we’ve been more effective and more of a threat in the last few games.
“[The mood in the dressing room] is fantastic. Obviously, with two wins in three days it can’t get any better than that. All of the boys have a lot of respect for Ancelotti. He knows what he is talking about, he knows what he is doing, it’s easy to buy into what he wants.
“Even though it’s a difficult time to come in with two games in the space of five or six days since he has been in, it’s been fantastic for the confidence of the team. For him to get two wins straight away, hopefully, that is just the start and we can build on it now.”
Does Sigurdsson start in a fully-fit Everton under Ancelotti?
Yes
No
Sigurdsson had been forced to sit out our trip to Manchester United and Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City through illness ahead of Ancelotti’s arrival, but has started the club’s last three games.
His last six Premier League starts have also come in central midfield role rather than the 74-cap Iceland international’s natural attacking position, which returned his sole goal and only assist of the campaign thus far.
Against Newcastle on Saturday as we won 2-1, Sigurdsson saw both of his two shots blocked, played two key balls from 43 accurate passes, took possession with four of seven tackles, penned three clearances and had a 14% corner accuracy rating, per WhoScored data.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Sigurdsson’s comments…
Insulting comments, could be something that bites his bum 🤦♂️
— Warren Bradley (@Wazza23666) December 30, 2019
This is a little different tune than the one with Silva where everyone was saying they supported him. Support is not the same as respect.
— Roby Bull (@RobyBull1) December 30, 2019
Gylfi needs to stop talking and start working and improving in every single area. He is so slow on the ball and hardly a presence in midfield at all. Doesn’t work hard enough for the team. He needs to learn from Richarlison #COYB
— Imran Malik (@imrantransam78) December 30, 2019
Prove it to the fans and stuff City on New Year’s Day!!
— Podefc (@podefc) December 30, 2019
No wonder he’s turned into pirlo then
— Nathan Dykstra (@nathan_efc) December 30, 2019
I think every player has transformed over the past 4 weeks or so
— youngie (@youngie1989) December 30, 2019
Could do with spending a bit of 1on1 wid gylfi
— GSG (@GSG_EFC) December 30, 2019
In other Everton news, the club have made contact with the agent of a £28.8m-rated man to discuss a January transfer.