Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Everton are weighing up a new deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson after a string of impressive displays from the midfielder in recent weeks.
The Icelandic international lost his place as a regular starter at Goodison Park following the arrival of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid in the summer. The Colombian made an instant impression in Merseyside, pushing Sigurdsson down the pecking order earlier in the campaign.
However, the 31-year-old has clawed his way back into manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans over the past one-and-a-half months. With Rodriguez injured, the playmaker has started Everton’s last seven fixtures in all competitions. He found the net in wins over Chelsea and Sheffield United while laying on an assist as the Toffees overcame Arsenal 2-1 on December 19.
Sigurdsson, who joined Everton for a staggering £40m from Swansea City in the summer of 2017, has been an integral component of the club’s set-up under different managers. After delivering decent returns under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce, the Icelandic star enjoyed his most productive season in the Premier League under Marco Silva in 2018-19, registering 13 goals and 6 assists in 38 appearances.
His future at Goodison Park had been called into question after a significant dip in form last term. Sigurdsson only managed a meagre tally of 2 goals and 3 assists in 35 league appearances as the Toffees secured a disappointing 12th-place finish in PL.
The writing seemed to be on the wall for the former Tottenham man following the acquisition of Rodriguez but he has proven his worth once again as a seasoned campaigner at this level. Suffice to say, the veteran has been at the centre of Everton’s blistering start to the campaign this time around.
Putting things into perspective, Everton shouldn’t hesitate to offer Gylfi Sigurdsson a new deal to extend his stay at Goodison Park beyond the summer of 2022. The vastly-experienced Icelandic international has entered the last 18 months of his current deal, meaning it’s high time for the Toffees to make a concrete decision on his long-term future at the club.
Considering his current form and status as a proven performer in the PL, the Toffees should have a new deal ready for him in the pipeline as a reward for his return to form this season.
Everton need more than one quality player competing for places in each department if they are to go toe-to-toe with the elite clubs in English football. Rodriguez has shown glimpses of his quality. But given the Colombian’s struggles with injuries, Sigurdsson remains indispensable to the club’s plans.
Besides Rodriguez, the 31-year-old is probably the only out-and-out attacking midfielder at the club who is capable of delivering goals and assists on a regular basis. A veteran of close to 300 PL appearances in his career, Sigurdsson also offers a lot with his experience and know-how at this level.
Cashing in on the Icelandic star could be a feasible option given that he’s nearing the latter stages of his career. But Everton should resist that temptation as the veteran has proven he’s still capable of playing a significant role under Ancelotti. The Toffees should, therefore, offer him fresh terms in the coming months.