Everton’s Idrissa Gueye may yet prove to be the signing of the season following a switch from relegated Aston Villa this summer.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye has been one of Everton’s standout performers
In a world of astronomical transfer prices and inflated fees largely exacerbated by revenue generated by television rights, the Toffees’ acquisition of the Senegalese international for £7 million can be considered a bargain (The Guardian). For Gueye has come to epitomise the success of Everton this season and his stellar displays have caught the attention of onlookers for all of the right reasons and even compelled manager Ronald Koeman to refer to him as “perfect.”
Last season the 27-year-old excelled in an under-performing Aston Villa side, who were relegated despite his best efforts, Gueye, who managed 140 interceptions and 144 tackles was only bettered by N’Golo Kante, though that has now changed, with Gueye making 36 tackles this term, 15 more than Kante.
The two have drawn many comparison over the course of the opening seven matches, not least because Steve Walsh, Everton’s new director of football and the man who procured the former Lille man’s service for Everton also encouraged Leicester to buy Kante, who’s glittering displays across the 2015/2016 season were enough to convince Chelsea to part with £30 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge (the Telegraph).
Although the pair both bring intelligence in reading the game and a tenacious work rate and they both also seem to have a knack of negating the opposition pressure and thwarting attacks, the key ingredients to ball retrieval.
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante was the Premier League’s top tackler last season
There are differences. Gueye is far more than a workhorse and that is what separates him from the French international. Yes, he is one of European football’s most voracious tacklers but it is further up the field where his work goes unnoticed; creating eight chances and one assist this season he has creativity to boot. Gueye is also a very effective distributor of the ball and has completed over 352 passes with a 88% passing accuracy and 65% of those were forward passes enabling his side to swiftly turn defence into attack.
With Gueye impressing since his seamless transition from Aston Villa, his manager Ronald Koeman has led the tributes.
The Dutchman told the Liverpool Echo: “He was outstanding, he was perfect in every aspect of football. Of course he wins a lot of second balls, he wins a lot of tackles, but the boy showed his composure in midfield.
He added: “He played the ball left, right, always tried to play the ball forward. It’s a fantastic signing for the club and I hope we keep him for a long time.In my opinion, in that position in the team he will become maybe the best in the Premier League.”
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye is has shone since his Aston Villa arrival
With Kante flourishing we witnessed Leicester’s capability, so with Gueye what is to say a top four finish is out of Everton’s reach.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
