---
title: "Niels Nkounkou Out of Favour Due to Lack of Experience"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/ancelotti-shuns-niels-nkounkou-due-to-lack-of-experience/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-12-16T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-16T12:00:00Z"
---

# Niels Nkounkou Out of Favour Due to Lack of Experience

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has explicitly stated that he would not give a chance to young left-back [Niels Nkounkou](https://readeverton.com/2020/12/08/niels-nkounkou-should-start-left-back-everton/) after indicating his preference for a more experienced player.

A back four of Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey – all of whom are [natural centre-backs](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-everton/startseite/verein/29) – proved to be a successful quartet as they [shut out Chelsea in a 1-0 win](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/everton-fc_chelsea-fc/index/spielbericht/3421785) last Saturday. After keeping a clean sheet, there appears to be little impetus for Ancelotti to make drastic changes to his defensive setup, save for the purposes of rest and rotation.

[Summer signing Nkounkou](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/everton-sign-juventus-linked-left-back-nkounkou-from/1gs7h0fy2ja1c1szkehvuvc9qs) looked set to deputise for his injured compatriot Lucas Digne at left-back but has failed to start under Ancelotti other than [in a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/niels-nkounkou/leistungsdaten/spieler/591193) six weeks ago.

Ancelotti denied speculation that Nkounkou was out of favour for disciplinary reasons, insisting it was a question of experience as he told the [Liverpool Echo](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nkounkou-everton-squad-carlo-ancelotti-19463282):

> No, no. Absolutely not. \[Excluding Nkounkou\] is a tactical decision. Unfortunately, I think he did well and is doing well.

> To be in the squad, to be in the team he needs more experience. For him, it is the first year at a top level as a professional, he has to improve, he is improving.

Ancelotti also commended the 20-year-old’s attitude, saying: “There’s no doubt about his professionalism. He is really focused in training, he’s going to play but in this moment I prefer more experienced players.”

### READ EVERTON VERDICT

Ancelotti’s comments could serve as much cause for frustration for the former Marseille defender, although it may be a question of faith for the youngster.

The short-term denial of opportunity may wither away if an injury crisis emerged or Godfrey fails to maintain a good level of performance at left-back.

Equally, Ancelotti’s comments could be a worry for 16-year-old [Thierry Small](https://readeverton.com/2020/12/16/everton-confident-of-keeping-thierry-small-transfer-interest/), who was [recently drafted](https://readeverton.com/2020/12/16/everton-confident-of-keeping-thierry-small-transfer-interest/) into the first team squad as a matter of emergency.

If Nkounkou is ‘inexperienced’ and not to be trusted, expect Small to find himself facing the same predicament.