---
title: "Allan’s Former Coach Reveals Why he is so Crucial to Carlo Ancelotti’s Plans"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/stramaccioni-praise-allan-qualities-everton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Jones"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2020-11-16T14:00:38Z"
modified: "2020-11-16T14:00:38Z"
---

# Allan’s Former Coach Reveals Why he is so Crucial to Carlo Ancelotti’s Plans

Former Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni has offered insightful commentary on the qualities that Everton summer signing [Allan](https://readeverton.com/2020/10/30/brazilian-toffee-earns-call-up-to-national-team-at-expense-of-rivals/) brings to the Merseysiders.

The midfielder joined from Carlo Ancelotti’s former club Napoli in a transfer deal worth [£21m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54040760) in the summer, with the Brazilian having featured in [61 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/allan/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/126422/plus/0/trainer_id/523) under Ancelotti during his time at the Stadio San Paolo.

Allan has been pivotal in Ancelotti’s ambitions to rebuild the Toffees’ midfield, and Stramaccioni – who [had the midfielder in his Udinese squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/allan/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/126422/plus/0/saison/2014/verein/410/trainer_id/19857) in 2014/15 – revealed exactly how important the has been and will be to Everton, telling the [Toffees’ official website](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1897124/any-manager-would-want-influential-allan):

> Allan immediately impressed me because of his hardworking attitude. He was pushing 110 per cent in every training session.
>
> Sometimes too much and I calmed him down a little bit to manage his energy during the week. His character was always positive, whatever the circumstances, he didn’t change.
>
> He grew up a lot in that season \[2014/15\], playing differently from his previous seasons in Italy.
>
> Allan was young but clever. He was motivated and always at the team’s service. He learned a lot from the experienced players.

Allan had made [more than 200 appearances](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54040760) for Serie A giants Napoli after joining from Udinese and played alongside Toffees forward Richarlison as Brazil won the 2019 Copa America. Watching his progress, Stramaccioni was observant of how the 29-year-old has improved:

> His best skills are still stealing the ball and winning tackles. But he has improved a lot in supporting the attack and finishing.
>
> He is positive, a hard worker, serious outside the pitch but always smiling. Every manager would be happy with a player like him.

### Read Everton Verdict

Stramaccioni’s insights reveal exactly how Allan can shore up the Toffees through the middle of the park.

His exemplary work rate, ball-winning abilities and professional attitude is explained superbly and succinctly.

This should come as less of a shock and more as an explanation for why Allan was so highly sought-after by Ancelotti and the Everton board. The 29-year-old is the ideal anchor man to reinforce and improve all elements of the Toffees’ team play as they look to push up the table.