Everton players celebrate after scoring a goal. (Getty Images)
Just four games since taking over as manager, Carlo Ancelotti has already lost patience with a number of them, with Gylfi Sigurdsson among those he is expected to dump as soon as he can, according to the Sun.
Everton were beaten by Liverpool’s youngsters in the third-round tie, which the Reds won 1-0 in an impressive display. Sigurdsson played in that game but was unable to help his side break down the hosts’ inexperienced defence.
Sigurdsson is the only one of the three playmakers left from the Ronald Koeman days and he isn’t working hard enough or influencing matches anywhere near enough now.
Sigurdsson has become a victim of his pricey transfer from Swansea two-and-a-half years ago, though his goal rate has dropped compared to his record in Wales, while his assist rate has also suffered – with a goal involvement ratio of 0.51 per game for the Swans dipping to just 0.36 per game at Everton.
The 30-year-old looking a shadow of the man who contributed to 21 goals last term (with just two goals and an assist this year), it seems his performance level has lowered regardless.
The Iceland international has regularly featured for the Toffees this season under both Marco Silva and Ancelotti but has been involved in only 3 goals.
Everton signed Sigurdsson from Swansea in August 2017 in a deal worth £45million.
He was an instant success and become the focal point of Everton’s attack. His ability to score from free-kicks made him one of Everton’s best players and was the first name on the team sheet along with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. But this season, the midfielder has struggled to put in consistent shifts on a regular basis.
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Verdict
While the Everton team have been collectively turning in poor performances, the midfielder has stood out as one of the poorest of the bunch, with only a 6.72/10 average rating in the Premier League (per Whoscored).
At 30 years of age, it is likely that if they have not already, Sigurdsson’s abilities will begin to decline in the near future and it may be best for all involved if he begins with a clean slate elsewhere.