Andros Townsend was shocked to see his Everton teammate, Idrissa Gana Gueye, used as a number nine at the Qatar World Cup for Senegal.
Gueye is a defensive-minded midfielder by trade, as Towsend, who is working for ITV Sport and doing commentary duty, stated that he has ‘never seen’ Gueye play in such a position.
Whatever the reasoning behind that tactic from African legend Aliou Cissé, one thing is for sure, it worked a treat because Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 and they are now through to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The likes of Gueye and Chelsea defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, who scored the winning goal against the Ecuadorians, will now come up against some familiar faces when they lock horns with England during the last-16 stage on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see how Gueye will be deployed for that match given the array of attacking talent that will be on show by England, as Townsend shared his thoughts on his teammate’s new position at the World Cup.
“Idrissa Gana has adopted a number nine position, which I have never seen before,” said Townsend. “They are just trying to put pressure on this Ecuador backline and it’s paying off.
Later on in the game: “Senegal still have Idrissa Gana Gueye playing high up in the number 10 and number nine position. How long before the manager decides that enough is enough to retreat him back? Or to bring on Mendy, another holding midfielder.”
ENGLAND V SENEGAL
During their history, England have never been beaten by a team from the African continent, and ahead of their meeting against Senegal, they will want to maintain that record.
But this is the champions of Africa they are coming up against and their toughest challenge yet at the World Cup.
On paper, Gareth Southgate’s side should still see this one through, but this energetic Senegalese side is going to make them run every inch of that grass and ensure their attacking talent tests a previously-questioned England backline.
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