Idrissa Gueye reportedly handed in a transfer request late last night and looks set to join PSG before the end of the current transfer window. But is it as big an issue as some people think?
Gueye currently leads the Premier League in tackles, a category which he frequently tops but there is no doubt that his performance levels this season are nowhere near as high as they have been since he joined the club in 2016 from Aston Villa.
Marco Silva has brought in a possession based style this season and it’s clear Gueye’s biggest weakness on the pitch is his ability on the ball. He struggles when he’s under pressure from the opposition and lacks the composure to play in the heart of a midfield where being on the ball and creating chances is a huge part of the job. While it may not be the number one priority in his job description, keeping goals out at the other end is and the fact the blues have only kept five clean sheets this season in 23 Premier League games suggests he along with the rest of the defenders are struggling to keep their part of the deal.
At the age of 29 it’s very unlikely he’s going to improve and you can’t blame a player wanting to move to a team in the Champions League and who regularly win silverware.
However, PSG’s offer of £21.6 million is insulting in today’s market and Everton should be looking for somewhere in the region of double that figure. If an offer of near £40 million where to come in for the Senegalese international it would be a no-brainer to sell him.
The timing of the transfer is not ideal with only two more days before the window closes. However, with not much to play for from now until May it could be a perfect opportunity to give much needed game time to the likes of Schneiderlin, Davies and McCarthy before big decisions are made on their futures in the summer.
Another option could be to drop Sigurdsson into central midfield alongside Gomes and move Bernard into the number 10 role. It’s no secret we have struggled to score goals lately and the more attacking and creative options in the team the better.
In a season that’s already devoid of any hope and with a lot of the players already looking like they don’t want to be there, the last thing we need is one who’s openly admitted he doesn’t. The club will have six months to go out and source a suitable replacement in what looks to be another chaotic summer ahead for the blue half of Merseyside.