Everton midfielder Carlos Alcaraz has been named in a struggling Premier League XI, though his inclusion is a little unfair.
Everton snapped up Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent basis over the summer, following a promising loan spell from Flamengo.
The former Southampton and Juventus man notched two goals and three assists in just 15 games while on loan, despite starting just seven times.
Alcaraz was excellent against Crystal Palace, and Everton saw enough to rubber-stamp a £15million permanent deal.
So far, though, Alcaraz has struggled to make a sustained impact this season and has mostly sat on the bench.
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Everton’s Carlos Alcaraz named in lowest-rated Premier League XI
Alcaraz has started just twice in the Premier League this season, with David Moyes preferring Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as Everton’s number 10.
The Argentinian has now been named in a lowest-rated Premier League XI for the season so far.
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WhoScored have included Alcaraz in midfield based on their rating system.
Alcaraz is rated at 6.10 for this Premier League campaign based on WhoScored’s system, making him one of the Premier League’s lowest-rated performers.
Six players in the team have been rated lower than Alcaraz, including Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
Wolverhampton Wanderers trio Jose Sa, Toti Gomes and Tolu Arokodare are also lower than Alcaraz, as are Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka and Fulham’s Issa Diop.
Carlos Alcaraz’s inclusion is a little unfair
Alcaraz’s lack of minutes means it’s difficult for him to impact the game enough to boast a higher rating in WhoScored’s system.
Take his four-minute substitute appearance against Tottenham, for example.
That display has gone down as a 5.89 rating, and it’s a similar story with his 6 rating against Liverpool and his 6.11 rating against Wolves.
Everton midfielder Carlos Alcaraz.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Outside of scoring or assisting goals in five-minute cameos, it’s difficult for Alcaraz to achieve a high rating.
Alcaraz impressed off the bench against Crystal Palace and played a key role in turning the game around for Everton.
Even that display went down as a 6.68 rating, when many Everton fans would probably rate his impact a little higher.
The average rating brings Alcaraz down to 6.10, but he can count himself unlucky to be in the XI alongside players who have played significantly more minutes this season.