Why Everton should keep Idrissa Gana Gueye at Goodison Park
At 29, Idrissa Gueye is at his peak as a footballer. But with PSG losing Adrien Rabiot either now or as a free agent at the end of the season, the Ligue 1 giants need a replacement. Their targets are all across the globe but to the horror of Everton fans, Sky Sports reports that Idrissa Gana Gueye is among the few stars at the top of PSG’s list.
However, Everton, in order to stop one of the best players from leaving, has quoted a price around £40million, according to the Mirror, which could put off PSG given Gueye’s age. At 29, the Senegalese international has at the most three seasons of top-level football, before his levels start to drop.
For Everton, these will be three crucial seasons as they aim to finish higher than they ever have in the Premier League and losing a key star won’t help them.
But losing Idrissa Gueye will be easily amongst the biggest blows to hurt the Toffees in recent times after losing Romelu Lukaku. The 29-year-old arrived at Everton from Aston Villa and since then, Gueye has been a revelation.
With an elegant cocktail of tactical, athletic and playmaking skills, the 29-year-old now alongside Andre Gomes, runs the Everton midfield. While he handles the defensive end of the spectrum, Gomes handles the offensive end. Together, the two make a formidable combination, but it’s the 29-year old that shines.
If it’s statistics that you love, the Gueye outdoes N’Golo Kante, Lucas Torreira and Wilfred Ndidi when it comes to interceptions, blocked shots and crosses. He is only behind the Leicester City man when it comes to tackles won and total duels, which allows Idrissa Gueye to average a stunning 3.9 tackles a game per Whoscored.
Not only does he out-do without argument the best defensive midfielder on the planet in N’Golo Kante in more than one key defensive area, but Idrissa Gueye is miles ahead of the closest Everton star. For PSG, this result can only mean good things as they chase after yet another Ligue 1 title and a potential Champions League crown, but for Everton it simply all adds up to one thing.
They cannot afford to lose Gueye at any price. While his age will prove to be a barrier, the Goodison Park side can increase their valuation for the star, because otherwise, someone half as good as the 29-year-old won’t be affordable.
