What has happened to one of the Premier League’s best attacker midfielders from last season?
HITC are using the international break to analyse who has been worth every penny, and who has been a waste of money.
Here we take a closer look at Everton’s record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Icelander started in spectacular fashion after sealing his protracted £45m move from Swansea City – fee reported by BBC Sport – scoring from 50 yards out on his full debut against Hadjuk Split.
There was an element of fortune to the long-distance strike, but it was the type of inspiration that Sigurdsson blessed Swansea with throughout last season to steer them away from relegation trouble.
Unfortunately for the Toffees, that same inspiration has been lacking ever since.
But Sigurdsson is not solely to blame. He was often played out of position by Ronald Koeman, shifted out to the wing as he was uneffectively at Tottenham Hotspur, rather than deployed his favoured No.10 role.
This was a tactical decision forced upon Koeman by the imbalance of his squad, but Sigurdsson was his marquee signing and the rest of Everton’s attacking players should have been moved around him.
As it stands, Sigurdsson appears an overpriced flop, but the Toffees invested in a proven Premier League performer who is entering the prime of his career, and he should come good under the right manager.
The 28-year-old averaged 10 goals and 7.5 assists per league season at Swansea. He has some serious catching up to do to hit those numbers this term, but he will no doubt improve before the end of the campaign.
Grade: C
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