David Moyes was visibly furious after watching his Everton side lose to Bournemouth.
The Toffees led the Cherries at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but a terrible period in the second-half saw the game turn on its head.
Rayan and Amine Adli both scored for Bournemouth, and then Jake O’Brien was sent off for the hosts for a last-man challenge.
A lot of fans again remarked how Idrissa Gana Gueye was off the pace.
Does Gueye need to be dropped? 🤔
Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The midfielder came back from AFCON recently and was thrown straight back into the team by Moyes – and this has been a questionable move by the manager.
With calls growing louder for Gueye to be dropped, here is a case for Tim Iroegbunam to replace him.
Why Tim Iroegbunam should replace Gueye for Everton
Gueye is primarily about work rate, tenacity and ball winning.
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In recent weeks, Gueye simply hasn’t been as strong in these areas of his game and against Bournemouth, he was rather all over the place.
He only contested five duels which is quite low for him. It was a suggestion that he wasn’t in the right areas to contest more.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton - Premier League
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While Gueye was at AFCON, Tim Iroegbunam was the preferred choice to play next to James Garner for David Moyes – and the 22-year-old had some good outings. His showing against Wolves was a particular standout.
Potentially, he is the most similar player to Gueye, and Moyes would surely want that if he was to take Gueye out of the team.
Iroegbunam – who was linked with a late exit from Everton in January – is a strong tackler and presser, two things everyone associates with Gueye.
But we also know him to be a good carrier of the ball. At the moment, Everton do lack a bit of impetus in their play, so to have someone capable of driving with the ball from deep cannot be a bad thing.
Moyes could alternatively use Merlin Rohl next to Garner in place of Gueye. But perhaps Iroegbunam having more involvement and experience makes him a more sensible choice.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers believes Moyes is a fan of Iroegbunam, so hopefully we do see him get a chance.
Whatever David Moyes does, it’s time to rotate Gueye
It remains to be seen if Iroegbunam gets the nod, but it’s difficult to make a case for Gueye to continue starting.
While Everton do have a bit of rest now until the next game against Manchester United, it feels like a good moment to rotate Gueye out of the team to allow him to fully replenish.
Idrissa Gueye playing for Everton.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
He is still an important player. But right now he looks spent.
His exertions at AFCON should have seen him earn a rest when he got back, but Moyes turned to him straight away, which has been to both his and the team’s detriment.
It would be foolish to run him into the ground any more than he already has been, and it would simply be strange to persist with him, given Everton have good midfield depth.
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