A number of Everton players were on display on Tuesday night as Senegal beat England at the City Ground.
Jordan Pickford was forced to watch from the dugout as Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson saw three goals go past him.
The defeat against the African side saw Adrian Durham backtrack on his Pickford claim over the weekend.
But it was a much happier evening for some of Everton’s Senegal representatives as Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye took to the pitch.
With just days left to find a resolution, Everton are keen to keep Gueye with the offer of a new contract on the table.
The midfielder’s importance was clear on Tuesday night as the Senegalese media shared their new nickname for the Everton man.
Photo by Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Jan Kruger – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Ahead of the midfielder’s contract expiring, Gueye has received interest from Paris FC with his future on Merseyside still up in the air.
But the 35-year-old has continued to put in some impressive displays for his national side which many Everton fans will have witnessed on Tuesday night.
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Senegalese outlet WiwSport waxed lyrical about Gueye’s performance against the Three Lions at the City Ground.
‘What a volume of play again. At 35 years old, the midfield octopus has once again ruled the roost. Huge throughout the season with Everton and in the Lions’ matches, he is riding on incredible form,’ they said.
‘Author of the first shot on target of the match for the Senegalese side, with an early recovery that went off Kane’s feet (2nd), it was he who kept the English side in the lead, unable to break his grip.
‘He was also the one who triggered everything on the 1-1 equalizer with this sublime pass to Nicolas Jackson. He played simply and accurately, initiating certain attacks and exerting constant pressure. Simply but effectively, GANA.’
Everton fans are desperate to see Gueye stay for next season after playing a huge role in their midfield.
And that was only emphasised on Tuesday evening as he got the better of some established Premier League players for Senegal.
Gueye dominated England’s midfield
Ndiaye has hailed Gueye as captain material with his importance to the Toffees clear ahead of the new season.
With Everton moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer there is going to be a lot of change around the club.
Therefore, it is going to be crucial that David Moyes can keep some of his leaders around for the new campaign.
90 minutes played
49 touches
36/38 successful passes
2 key passes
2 shots on target
100% aerial duels won
4 tackles
Gueye showed on Tuesday evening just how important he is on the pitch as he is off it.
If Everton cannot get a deal concluded for Gueye to remain on Merseyside then there will be a huge task to find an adequate replacement.