Ancelotti loving Gordon’s drive, Calvert-Lewin’s confidence

Premier League team managers are not required to hold pre-match press conferences for the earlier rounds of the Carabao Cup, so instead Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti released his statements ahead of the game to the media and the club website.

Man-of-the-moment Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been grabbing all the headlines following his hat-trick performance against West Bromwich Albion, as well as grabbing the winner in the season opener at Tottenham Hotspur.

After expressing hope that the 23-year-old could become like legendary goal poacher Filippo Inzaghi, Ancelotti had more praise for the striker.

“In this moment he is using his qualities. He is a fantastic, powerful striker in the box and he uses his power to be ready when the opportunity comes.

“He has more confidence, of course. He is confident within himself.

“He is professional on the training ground and always focused on improving. He is doing well.”

While Richarlison has been busy in the box creating chances both for himself and his teammates, he’s been unable to find the back of the net as yet, with the linesman’s flag waving off an incredible effort against West Brom. Ancelotti indicated he has been pleased with the Brazilian’s work rate despite not scoring.

“I am not asking the strikers to score goals – I am asking them to work well.

“In my opinion, Richarlison played a fantastic game, at the same level of Dominic. On the scoresheet there is Dominic, not Richarlison, but in my personal score they are at the top together.”

Meanwhile, youngster Anthony Gordon has not been on the teamsheet for either of the Premier League games despite staking his claim for a spot with an assured performance last week against Salford City where much like Richarlison he did everything but score.

It appears the teenager has been bold enough to ask the manager why he has not been selected, a quality that has quite impressed Ancelotti.

“I love, I love this. It means they are really interested to do a proper job.”

He added that he sat down the youngster to tell him his plans and that he remained a alued member of the squad.

“He wanted an explanation and so I explained to him the squad is really competitive and sometimes it can happen that the players are not involved,

“But this doesn’t mean I don’t believe in them. I believe and so he had the opportunity against Salford to show us his quality, he took the opportunity because he played really well.

“It can happen sometimes, also for important players, that players are not involved in the game. This is what can happen in all the competitive teams.

“The fact that we want to be competitive means that sometimes players have to stay out.”

The youth revolution is still ticking along merrily at Everton, aided by a wily old manager who has made some shrewd veteran signings this summer.