Idrissa Gueye sees his Everton contract expire at the end of the season.
The Senegal international is still impressing under David Moyes and is a key cog in the side, but it remains to be seen whether he will be kept on given the fact he turns 37 in September.
Now, a story from The Athletic offers a hint towards what Everton might do with Idrissa Gueye – with those inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium accepting his role in the squad may need to change if he does stay.
Who should Everton be keeping and letting go this summer? 🫣
Jack Grealish in action for Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus
Everton accept they must ‘reduce their reliance’ on the ageing Idrissa Gueye
The Everton No.27 only recently won the Africa Cup of Nations and shone in the 3-0 win over Chelsea, proving that he remains a competent footballer at the highest level despite his age.
However, The Athletic say that, even when Gueye signed a new contract at Everton last summer, the Toffees accepted they must reduce their reliance on a player closer to the age of 40 than 30.
Given that stance, some at Everton may feel surprised that the Senegalese star has managed to make 22 Premier League starts under Moyes this season, and is competing well enough to have the Toffees within three points of a UEFA Champions League spot at the time of writing.
Having said that, the fact Everton accepted Gueye needed to be replaced last summer let alone this year strongly suggests The Friedkin Group may not keep him around.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
If the former PSG midfielder is kept on, the concern regarding his age could alternatively point to it only being a short-term extension with a reduced squad role, and a younger option coming in to take his place in the starting XI.
Give us your gut feeling… will Everton make it into Europe? 🌍
Everton manager David Moyes on Europe.
Whatever happens, Gueye deserves credit for continuing to deliver a solid level of performance at the age of 36, playing a key role as Everton look set to qualify for Europe in the final seven games.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox