Ancelotti urged to give winter recruit his ‘sliding doors’ moment

Former Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish feels the time is right for Carlo Ancelotti to let Joshua King show what he can do for Everton.

King, 29, was a winter signing for the Toffees, joining from Bournemouth for a nominal fee. He penned an initial six-month deal, with the option to extend if all parties agree.

However, it was reported earlier this week that Ancelotti has been unimpressed with what he has seen so far. The Norway forward was signed as cover for Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

But he has yet to start a game for the Merseysiders and has played just 117 minutes of top-flight football. They have come from eight substitute appearances and he may well be let go at the end of the campaign.

James Rodriguez’s injury absence has possibly opened the door for the former Blackburn Rovers man. And McLeish told Football Insider that it really is a case of now or never for the Scandinavian.

“If there’s problems for Everton and he hasn’t quite got into the rhythm of the Everton way, now’s the time,” he said. “When he signed, I thought he was a good signing. He knows his way around the Premier League, Premier League defences and the opposition boxes.

“This is the time for Josh to make the mark.”

King not consistent in front of goal

King scored 53 goals from 184 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries before moving to Goodison Park. But he only managed to reach double figures in two seasons – 2016-2017 and 2018-2019.

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Carlo Ancelotti said that Everton were not clinical in front of goal and suffered from defensive mistakes as they lost 2-1 against Burnley in the Premier League.

Therefore it is unlikely he is ever going to terrorise opposition defences on a regular basis. But ex-Scotland boss McLeish believes that the Norway international can only prove his worth if he is given a chance.

“It’s quite simple, there’s no need to elaborate on it. He should be at the peak of his powers now,” he added. “There are sliding doors for people in every walk of life. It could be that he ignites with Everton if he gets this opportunity to be a first-team pick.”

King played the final 34 minutes as Everton lost 2-1 at home to Burnley last time out. Their next task is an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City on Saturday evening.

It remains to be seen if the Italian tactician gives the former Manchester United player any minutes. But it would certainly be a suitable platform on which to showcase his worth.

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