As was the case last term, Everton now will be thinking about whether to keep Idrissa Gana Gueye around for another season.
There are still seven games left to play this season, but undoubtedly club officials will already have eyes on the summer, which will be one of the biggest in the club’s recent history.
With Everton having not spent in January, the club may loosen the purse strings. And in theory if European football has been secured, then that will be much more likely.
Does Gueye need to be dropped? 🤔
Idrissa Gana Gueye.
But as much as there will be a big focus on new player arrivals, Everton will have some important decisions to make on current players.
And one man who falls into this category is Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Last year he signed a contract that kept him at the club for another season, with the option for a further year. Everton will soon take a decision on triggering that option.
And here’s why they should.
Idrissa Gana Gueye still brings too much to be let go by Everton
There is no denying that Gueye is past his peak now.
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The star will turn 37 in September and with that in mind, it’s quite remarkable that he is still operating at this level.
Earlier this term, Gueye came in for criticism from fans, mainly on social media, who felt he looked on the wane.
Iliman Ndiaye playing for Everton.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
For sure, there were fixtures where he did look off the pace, such as against Leeds United which was the first game back for Gueye after AFCON.
But just lately, Gueye has looked a little more refreshed, which has coincided with a schedule that has become less intense.
By the time the Brentford match rolls around on Saturday, Everton will have played just seven games (the Bees included) in the space of 61 days.
Gueye has undoubtedly benefitted from a kinder schedule, and this does suggest that he can still be useful next season if he is not overloaded.
Surely, using him on a rotational basis next term would be in Everton’s best interests.
Not only is Gueye showing that he still has plenty of energy to bring, but he’s also a player who’s highly respected in that dressing room, and is one of the leaders – something Seamus Coleman recently reiterated.
Everton have several talented midfielders on the books at the moment, many of whom can benefit from rubbing shoulders with Gueye. People like Harrison Armstrong and Merli Rohl could really use his pearls of wisdom, as could even James Garner.
Furthermore, should Everton secure European football, then Gueye absolutely should be kept, having played in both the Champions League and Europa League earlier in the season. It surely cannot harm to have a player who has been in those European environments before.
Who should Everton be keeping and letting go this summer? 🫣
Jack Grealish in action for Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus
And there is perhaps one other key reason why Everton should be looking to get Gueye extended for another year.
Iliman Ndiaye is already starting to attract interest from other clubs. He’s a brilliant player that Everton need to be keeping hold of and building around.
We know that he and Gueye are very close both being from Senegal, and allowing Gueye to depart actually may not help the club’s cause in terms of keeping Ndiaye.
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