With the 2024-25 season coming to a close, we are intoour season review serieswith a look at the central midfielders and how they did this season.
Tim Iroegbunam
Iroegbunam had a frustrating first season with the Toffees. After a few starts, he suffered an injury early on in the campaign which kept him sidelined for over three months. Following his return, he only featured in a handful of games off the bench.
While still young, there is plenty of time for the 22-year-old to make his mark with the Blues. Following Doucoure and Mangala’s departure, Iroegbunam will be presented a better opportunity to push on. Let’s see if he is up to the task, especially if David Moyes utilizes him in his preferred position further up the pitch and not as a holding midfielder.
Also, any reason to bring this goal up again—Iroegbunam assisted on Everton’s goal of the season from James Tarkowski.
James Garner
It was an equally frustrating season for James Garner following an injury mishap early on in the season. Evertonians are still waiting for that creative, compact midfielder who grew through the ranks at Manchester United. Similar to Iroegbunam, there will be plenty of opportunity for the 24-year-old next season.
He played a phenomenal ball (and more of what Evertonians have been crying out for) to Beto in a 4-0 rout over Leicester.
Orel Mangala
While it took some time for Mangala to find his footing with the Blues, Evertonians certainly saw the best of the 27-year-old before suffering a devastating injury. While a future return to the Blues seems unlikely, Mangala should be remembered for dominating the midfield when Everton’s injury woes were at an all-time high.
Mangala scored a lovely goal in a 4-0 thumping of Wolves.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Doucoure has certainly been a polarizing figure during his time with the Blues. Known for some memorable goals, the man has somewhat regressed the last few years. Perhaps Doucoure’s biggest flaw was not even one of his own. The 32-year-old was often played in an attacking role, which would naturally leave both the player and supporters frustrated to not see many attacking contributions in return.
However, Doucoure still held his own in his last season with the Blues. If not this past season in particular, we still have him to thank for quite literally saving Everton from relegation. All the best, Doucs.
Doucoure scored one of his more memorable goals last season with a last-minute winner against Nottingham Forest.
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz was a breath of fresh air in an injury-riddled midfield. He made an immediate impact after arriving joining from Flamengo on loan. The 22-year-old quickly became a fan favorite with his crafty, attacking-minded play. He also showed his versatility, being able to fill in virtually anywhere on the pitch.
The Blues signed him to a permanent deal after a fantastic debut last season, and while still 22, we expect the box-to-box midfielder to grow more into his role next season.
Alcaraz scored a thumping header to give the Blues an unexpected win over Newcastle.
Idrissa Gana Gueye
The ever-dependent Everton midfielder is showing no signs of slowing down. The 35-year-old started nearly every match last season and we expect him to do more of the same this upcoming season.
Despite a few dodgy back passes every now and then, you always felt at ease when Gueye was on the ball, let alone in the starting lineup. While little attacking prowess in his holding midfielder role, Gueye is as smart on the ball as they come.
Following a recent new contract agreement (reportedly), Gueye will be clamping down in Everton’s midfielder for the foreseeable future (please stay forever, Idrissa).
Alongside a two-assist performance in a 3-2 win over Spurs, Gueye provided a peach of a ball to Jake O’Brien to give Everton a late equalizer against West Ham.