Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he will rotate his Everton team for the visit of Manchester City on Monday. But the Italian believes there is ‘the possibility to recover’ the majority of the side that featured against Manchester United in midweek for the trip to Sheffield United on Boxing Day. Everton have won three consecutive matches in the Premier League heading into the game at Bramall Lane, with the Blades bottom of the table and without victory in their opening 14 games of the campaign. Jordan Pickford is expected to replace Robin Olsen in goal after he was replaced for the defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, but Ancelotti played down the possibility of wholesale changes in Sheffield. Instead, he appeared to confirm it will be the visit of Manchester City that will see him tinker with his starting line-up.
Carlo Ancelotti said: “I think against Sheffield United we have the possibility to recover all the players. After the game, of course, we have to take into consideration the fact we are going to play in two days, so it will not be possible. So I think not for the first game, for the second game, we are going to rotate the players. Without Richarlison would be difficult. If he has a concussion he has to stay out, we have to follow the protocols, and we have to be able to replace him better than we did when he was [suspended]. If Richarlison is not there, it will be a great opportunity for the players that did not play a lot. For this game, they can show their qualities.”
