In some positive news, Everton have tied down midfielder Idrissa Gueye to a new long-term contract. The midfielder has been an instant hit at the Goodison Park since his arrival from Aston Villa in a £7m transfer. It will boost Koeman’s confidence, who has had a tough run in the Premier League so far. The Toffees have made a slow start to life in the Premier League and are yet to make a crack in the English top tier.
Having invested heavily in the summer Koeman would have expected his side to latch on the front three but his new signings are yet to gel as a team which has been the main concern for the Dutch boss.
The Merseyside club finished in the seventh place last season and qualified for the Europa League. But their performance in Europe’s second premier tournament has been pretty disappointing as they failed to live up to the expectation. The Toffees need some momentum to put the accelerator this season and Gueye’s extension could be that point. The Senegalese international has been a bundle of energy in the midfield and the midfield engine has been a regular in this time too.
Gueye’s drive in the midfield attracted a number of suitors in the summer and the manager will be more than happy to have extended his stay at the club. The 28-year-old has been likened to N’Golo Kante and can be even more devastating on his day.
His work rate and tenacity in the middle of the park is quite excellent. He can operate from a number of positions but is best suited to a more adventurous box to box role.
He is equally comfortable in breaking up opponents attack as he is in picking the ball from the backline to initiate an attack. He has been a catalyst in Everton’s last season’s display and has already set the tone this term.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies are also there in the midfield but nobody can provide that solidity what he brings to the game. The Toffees need to be far better in their remaining group stage matches of the Europa League and if they do qualify, Koeman would be needed the service of the player.
Ross Barkley is yet to agree to a contract extension so Gueye’s contract would be seen as a victory for the club hierarchy who also lost their star player Romelu Lukaku in the summer to Manchester United.
