In this weekend's Royal Blue column, Paul Wheelock writes on the departure of veteran Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye
Idrissa Gueye looks set to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al Diriyah after his Everton contract expired
Idrissa Gueye looks set to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al Diriyah after his Everton contract expired
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What a shame Idrissa Gueye hasn't able to say a proper goodbye to Everton fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He deserved that after proving to be an outstanding servant for the club over seven years and 236 appearances across two spells.
Instead his last outing in an Everton shirt was at the London Stadium. When he came off in that match, against West Ham United on April 25, with four minutes of normal time remaining, there was no inkling that he would miss the last four games of the season.
However, the ankle injury he sustained against the Hammers proved serious enough to end his campaign early and, if you wanted proof of what an important player he remained for the Blues, then it came in what happened in the matches that followed.
Losing leads at home to Manchester City and Sunderland and away to Crystal Palace, before the final-day no-show at Tottenham Hotspur, Gueye's leadership qualities were missed as Everton let slip a golden opportunity to qualify for Europe.
The veteran midfielder then proved his fitness and enduring influence at the World Cup, where he started all four games for Senegal in their run to the last 32 alongside Blues team-mate Iliman Ndiaye.
With his focus understandably on the World Cup, talks over a new contract with Everton were placed on hold and he actually became a free agent during the finals in North America.
And, after a day of speculation, the Blues formally announced his departure at 6.15pm last night (Friday).
It is understood Gueye has agreed to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al Diriyah. He will be missed.
But that does not mean this is not the best decision for both the player and the club.
The 36-year-old has earned one final pay day. He has been one of Everton's best and most consistent players in each of his two stints at the club, which were separated by three seasons playing alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Co at Paris Saint-Germain.
His exit leaves a void that David Moyes needs to fill. As proved by what happened at the back end of the campaign, the Blues have, for many years, been a better side with Gueye in it.
But it still feels now is the time to move on.
With four weeks to go until the start of the new Premier League season, the club has work to do in the transfer market. However, if there is one area of the field that Moyes has strength in depth, it would seem to be in the centre of the park.
When fit, James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are certain starters while Hayden Hackney, having been signed from Middlesbrough for a fee that could rise to £24m, will have immediate designs on being one, too.
And then there is Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Rohl and Tim Iroegbunam to consider. If all three players are part of Everton's future, they need to be given pathways into the team.
Agreeing to part ways with Gueye, should in theory, make that pathway a little easier.
However, as anyone who has watched the Senegalese since his initial arrival from Aston Villa 10 years ago would tell you, he has long been putting out midfield fires for the Blues.
So while a new right-back remains the club's absolute transfer priority, there is a train of thought that a true No.6 is still required, too; a player who would bring physicality, discipline and composure in front of a defence that was exposed last season, especially when Jarrad Branthwaite was missing, and which could allow the likes of Garner and Dewsbury-Hall to maraud forward and press high in the opposition half, knowing there is a safety net behind them.
But whether the club find that player in the transfer market, or produces an internal solution, there is no question Gueye will be hard to replace.
He leaves with the well-wishes of every Everton supporter, who hopefully, will be able to give him one final send-off in the not too distant future.