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Charlie Nicholas critical of Everton defenders Mason Holgate and Djibril Sidibe

Dom Toner

Fri 13 March 2020 10:15, UK

Charlie Nicholas has aimed a criticism towards Everton defenders Mason Holgate and Djibril Sidibe.

The Toffees have hit a poor run of form with just one point from their last three Premier League matches, which included a 4-0 hammering away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their last match.

The Merseyside club have just one clean sheet in their last 10 league fixtures and the backline has been an issue this season, but fortunately for them forwards Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been in decent form.

Everton do sit 12th in the top-flight table though to make it a disappointing campaign for them and the lift of Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival in December as manager is beginning to fade.

Sky Sports pundit Nicholas has picked out two “rash” Everton defenders ahead of the Merseyside clash against Liverpool in their next game.

Holgate and Sidibe have featured in all 11 league games since Ancelotti took care, plus in the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool in January.

“The poor areas are in defence. Mason Holgate was a right-back and is now a centre-back. He has done OK, but he is forceful and rash, as is Djibril Sidibe,”

TBR’s View:

Holgate may have struggled somewhat in the last few fixtures, but there could be a strong case put forward to suggest he’s been Everton’s best defender this season and the criticism aimed towards his is harsh.

The 23-year-old centre-back is a promising youngster that will continue to improve and be be important for Ancelotti moving forward.

But right-back Sidibe hasn’t lived up to the hype since he joined in the summer on loan from Monaco and perhaps deserves more blame for the vulnerable state at the back.

The 27-year-old Frenchman looks a danger when he goes forward, but with his back to goal is caught out defensively and does make rash decisions.