Allan
Allan with Everton in 2021
Personal information
Full name Allan Marques Loureiro[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-08) 8 January 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al Wahda
Number 25
Youth career
2007–2008 Madureira
2008–2009 Vasco da Gama
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Vasco da Gama 51 (0)
2012–2015 Udinese 104 (1)
2015–2020 Napoli 168 (11)
2020–2022 Everton 52 (0)
2022– Al Wahda 24 (0)
International career‡
2011 Brazil U20[4] 2 (0)
2018–2020 Brazil 10 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Brazil
Copa América
Winner 2019 Brazil
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Winner 2011
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:54, 24 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 05:03, 14 November 2020 (UTC)

Allan Marques Loureiro (born 8 January 1991), commonly known as Allan Marques or simply Allan (Brazilian Portuguese: [aˈlɐ̃]), is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Emirati club Al Wahda.

After starting out in the Madureira youth system in his home country, he joined Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado, but later returned to Brazil and made his professional debut with Vasco da Gama in 2009. Allan joined Italian club Udinese in 2012, and subsequently moved to fellow Serie A side Napoli in 2015.

At international level, he was a part of the Brazil under-20 side that won the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and later made his senior debut for Brazil in 2018; he was a member of the team that won the 2019 Copa América on home soil.

Club career

Madureira and Deportivo Maldonado

Allan was signed from Madureira by Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado at 17 years of age[citation needed] for an undisclosed fee. However, he was later loaned out to Vasco da Gama back in Brazil; he would not make an appearance for Maldonado.

Vasco da Gama

Allan moved to Vasco da Gama once again still as a youth player, loaned from Deportivo Maldonado. A year after he played for their youth team, he was brought back and promoted to the first-team by coach Dorival Júnior, playing in many crucial games in the club's 2009 season to help the side win the Série B and secure promotion to the top-flight Série A, though he ultimately suffered an injury.

Due to injury, Allan could not compete with Vasco da Gama neither in the Campeonato Carioca nor the 2010 Copa do Brasil. After an initial recovery, he returned to the club's junior team to regain fitness before rejoining the first-team. He then returned to action in the last round of the Série A before the break for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, playing in the Copa da Hora friendly tournament. The club won the tournament, with Allan contributing to the title, also scoring a goal in a 3–2 victory over Coritiba.

Udinese

In June 2012, Allan signed for Serie A side Udinese for a reported fee of R$7 million[5] from Deportivo Maldonado.[5][6] He made his debut for Udinese at home at the Stadio Friuli against Juventus, where he created an assist for teammate Andrea Lazzari's goal.

In his first season in Udine, Allan played mostly as a defensive midfielder, recovering and distributing a large number of balls. Manager Francesco Guidolin played him in 36 games in the league out of 38 games, he proved one of the best bargains of the season, defying expectation and playing almost all games as a starter to help Udinese to finish in a surprise fifth-place position, securing qualification to next year's UEFA Europa League.[7]

The following season the club finished 13th in the league in what was Francesco Guidolin's final season with the side. Despite this, Allan excelled in midfield,[citation needed] and scored his first goals for the club as his improvement in Italy continued. His calm and controlled performance in midfield also prompted future Udinese manager Andrea Stramaccioni to suggest that he was now one of the best young midfielders in Europe, comparable to Manchester United's Paul Pogba.[7]

In the 2014–15 season, Allan was to be the top ball-winner of all of Europe's top-five leagues with the most balls won.[citation needed]

Napoli

After reported interest from a number of other clubs,[8][9] Allan signed for Napoli for €10m plus bonuses in July 2015.[10]

In the 2015–16 season, Allan made his Napoli debut in a pre-season friendly against Lega Pro side FeralpiSalò, which Napoli won 5–2.[11] He made his first Serie A debut for Napoli at home against Sampdoria in the second matchday of the Serie A season, creating an assist for Gonzalo Higuaín with a through-ball that the latter converted with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, making the scoreline 2–0. Allan was later substituted in the second half for David López.[12] Allan would then receive a start in Napoli's third game of the season, a 2–2 away draw with Empoli, scoring an equalizer in the 78th minute after converting a pass from captain Marek Hamšík.[13]

Allan playing for Napoli in 2019

On 17 September 2015, Allan came off the bench in the 62nd minute against Belgian club Club Brugge in his first ever Europa League game, assisting José Callejón's second goal of the game with a through-ball just minutes after coming on. The match finished 5–0 for Napoli, the club's largest European win and the joint-largest margin of defeat for Brugge, equalling its 6–1 defeat at Monaco in 1988.[14] Allan would go on to score once again and provide another assist in a 5–0 win against Lazio, only three days after the Brugge victory on 20 September, giving manager Maurizio Sarri trust in him for his precise passing and defensive work.[15] On 26 September, Allan scored a goal against defending champions Juventus, with excellent passing and an impressive overall game in a 2–1 home win.[16] On 4 October, Allan would score the opening goal in a 0–4 away rout of Milan in a swift counter-attacking move, where the Brazilian went one-on-one with Milan goalkeeper Diego López.[17]

In the 2016–17 season, Allan had 29 Serie A appearances (1 goal, 5 assists), 8 Champions League appearances culminating in an 86.6% pass completion rate, an average of 2.4 successful tackles per game and he also averaged one key pass (one that led to a goalscoring opportunity) per game.

In the 2017–18 season, Allan played in all 38 Serie A matches, scoring four goals. During that season, Allan extended his contract with Napoli until 2023.[18] In the following season, he featured in 33 Serie A matches and reached the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals with Napoli. In the 2019–20 season, he played in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League round of 16 home match against Barcelona, which ended 1–1, then he won the 2019–20 Coppa Italia against Juventus, his only silverware with Napoli.[19]

Everton

On 5 September 2020, English club Everton signed Allan for around £21.7m on a three-year deal, to be reunited with former Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti.[20] He made his debut the following week in a 1–0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur.[21]

Allan suffered an injury to his hamstring on 16 December during an away game against Leicester City, he was replaced in the 41st minute by Andre Gomes; Everton won the game 0–2. Allan was ruled out for the remainder of Everton's games in 2020.[22] He returned to the starting eleven on 1 March against Southampton playing the full 90 minutes, Everton won the game 1–0.[23]

In March 2022, against Newcastle United, Allan was sent off following a tackle on Allan Saint-Maximin. The Brazilian was also given a three-match ban. Everton later went on to win the game 1–0 due to an Alex Iwobi winner in the 99th minute of stoppage time.[24]

Al Wahda

On 27 September 2022, Allan signed a two-year deal with Emirati club Al Wahda.[25]

International career

Under-20

He was called up by Brazilian under-20 coach Ney Franco on 20 August 2011, where he impressed enough at Vasco da Gama to earn a call-up for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Brazil's U-20 World Cup-winning side also featured the likes of Oscar, Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro and Danilo, as well as future Napoli teammates Gabriel and Bruno Uvini. Brazil made it to the tournament final, beating Portugal 3–2 in extra time and winning the U20 World Cup for the fifth time.[7]

Senior

Allan with Brazil at the 2019 Copa América

Although born in Brazil, Allan holds dual Portuguese-Brazilian nationality, making him eligible to play for Brazil or Portugal.[26] Allan also 'has a distant Italian relative' which qualifies him for an Italian passport and thus the Italy national team. Sky Sport Italia and TV Luna report that he has been asked 'to switch allegiances to the Azzurri' by national coach Roberto Mancini.[27] Manager Tite, on 26 October 2018, named Allan to the Brazilian squad that will face Uruguay and Cameroon in friendlies the following month. However, because these were only exhibition matches, Allan still also remained eligible to play for Portugal and Italy at the time.[28] He made his senior international debut in the former match, held in London on 16 November, which ended in a 1–0 victory to Brazil.[29]

In May 2019, Allan was included in Brazil's 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América on home soil.[30] On 7 July, he come on as an injury-time substitute in Brazil's 3–1 victory over Peru in the final of the tournament, at the Maracanã Stadium.[31]

Style of play

Allan operates primarily as a defensive midfielder or as a central midfielder in the mezzala role, and is equally comfortable at playing both in an attacking and defensive midfield role; he is also capable of being deployed in a deeper role as a playmaker. As such, he has also been labelled a box-to-box midfielder in the media. He is also capable of playing on the left or right flank, and has even been deployed as a full-back on occasion.

Normally deployed as a holding midfielder in front of the back-line, Allan is known as a dynamic, physically strong, tenacious and energetic right-footed midfielder, with good ball-winning abilities. He also possesses good technique, dribbling skills, pace and good long passing ability, which enables him to start attacking plays after winning back possession. He has been described as a complete and tactically versatile midfielder, who is different from traditional defensive midfielders, due to his reputation for dribbling past defenders and passing the ball through the legs of an opponent, a move known as the nutmeg.[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 24 September 2023[41]
Club Season League Cup1 Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vasco da Gama 2009 Série B 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
2010 Série A 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
2011 19 0 10 0 7 1 36 1
2012 4 0 0 0 5 0 9 0
Total 51 0 10 0 12 1 73 1
Udinese 2012–13 Serie A 36 0 1 0 0 0 37 0
2013–14 33 0 4 0 4 0 41 0
2014–15 35 1 3 1 0 0 38 2
Total 104 1 8 1 4 0 116 2
Napoli 2015–16 Serie A 35 3 2 0 6 0 43 3
2016–17 29 1 2 0 8 0 39 1
2017–18 38 4 2 0 10 0 50 4
2018–19 33 1 2 0 12 0 47 1
2019–20 23 2 4 0 6 0 33 2
Total 168 11 12 0 42 0 212 11
Everton 2020–21 Premier League 24 0 2 0 0 0 26 0
2021–22 28 0 3 0 0 0 31 0
Total 52 0 5 0 0 0 57 0
Al Wahda 2022–23 UPL 22 0 5 0 0 0 27 0
2023–24 2 0 5 0 0 0 7 0
Total 24 0 9 0 0 0 34 0
Career total 399 12 45 1 58 1 502 14

International

As of match played 13 November 2020[41]
Brazil
Year Apps Goals
2018 2 0
2019 7 0
2020 1 0
Total 10 0

Honours

Vasco da Gama

Napoli

Brazil U20

Brazil

References

  1. ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Allan: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Allan". UAE Pro League. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Allan". soccerway.com. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  5. ^ a b Rotstein, Gustavo (7 June 2012). "Felipe lamenta saída do 'filho adotivo' Allan: 'Foi um erro'". Globoesporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Allan e Pawlowski in bianconero!" (Press release). Udinese Calcio. c. 2012.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b c "Meet Udinese's rising ball-winner who's bossed Pogba this season". fourfourtwo. 6 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Chelsea and Arsenal to fight for Allan Marques Loureiro". Football News Guru.
  9. ^ Archer, Bruce (3 June 2015). "Chelsea SWOOP for Brazilian Udinese star as Ramires replacement".
  10. ^ "Official: Allan signs with Napoli, completes marathon transfer". The Siren's Song. 21 July 2015.
  11. ^ "Napoli win on Allan debut - Football Italia". www.football-italia.net.
  12. ^ "Live Scores - Football - Sporting Life". www.sportinglife.com.
  13. ^ "Empoli 2, Napoli 2: Winless once more". The Siren's Song. 13 September 2015.
  14. ^ uefa.com (17 September 2015). "UEFA Europa League 2015/16 - History - Napoli-Club Brugge – UEFA.com".
  15. ^ "Napoli 5 - 0 Lazio Match report - 9/20/15 Serie A - Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  16. ^ "Napoli-Juventus, le pagelle: Higuain piega Buffon, Ghoulam che sorpresa! Finalmente il vero Allan". 26 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Lorenzo Insigne inspires as Napoli end AC Milan's perfect home record".
  18. ^ "Napoli midfielder Allan signs extension until 2023". Goal.com. 18 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Napoli 0–0 Juventus (Napoli win 4-2 on penalties)". BBC Sport. 17 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Allan: Everton sign Brazilian midfielder for £21m from Napoli on three-year deal". BBC Sport. 5 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Calvert-Lewin earns Everton win at Spurs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Everton Injury News - Allan Hamstring". MSN.
  23. ^ "Allan returns for Everton". Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Everton 1–0 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. 17 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Allan: Everton midfielder joins Al Wahda of the UAE". BBC Sport. 27 September 2022.
  26. ^ Gott, Tom (5 September 2018). "Agent of Napoli Star Alan Urges Tite to Call the Midfielder Up to the Brazil National Team". www.90min.com. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  27. ^ Football Italia staff (6 October 2018). "Italy to call on Napoli's Allan?". Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  28. ^ Football Italia Staff (26 October 2018). "Brazil call up Napoli's Allan". Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Allan makes Brazil debut". Football Italia. 26 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  30. ^ "Brazil name Copa America squad". Football Italia. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  31. ^ "Brazil 3–1 Peru". BBC Sport. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  32. ^ Jiang, Allan. "Could Udinese Star Allan Marques Loureiro Abandon Brazil for Italy?". Bleacher Report.
  33. ^ Peter Galindo (7 August 2018). "Sarri aiming to replicate Napoli success, style at Chelsea". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  34. ^ "Napoli, è iniziata l'era Sarri: "Allan giocatore completo"" (in Italian). www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  35. ^ Barbara Castellini (19 March 2015). "Da Pizarro ad Allan: il ruolo che non c'è" (in Italian). www.mondoudinese.it. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  36. ^ Luca Sol (27 February 2018). "Allan il guerriero del centrocampo: anche la tattica della fisicità non può nulla contro questo Napoli" (in Italian). www.spazionapoli.it. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Napoli, Allan come Gattuso: "E Ancelotti è più sereno di Sarri"" (in Italian). Il Mattino. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  38. ^ Marzo Azzi (23 July 2015). "Allan stregato dal Napoli: Io, tra Falcao e Maradona" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  39. ^ "Allan" (in Italian). www.calcionapoli24.it. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  40. ^ "Napoli, il guerriero Allan torna a battagliare". Il Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 12 October 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  41. ^ a b "Allan". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  42. ^ "Coppa: Napoli beat Juventus on penalties". Football Italia. 17 June 2020.
  43. ^ "Brazil 3–1 Peru". BBC Sport. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Allan Marques Loureiro.
Al Wahda FC – current squad
Brazil squad – 2019 Copa América winners (9th title)
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