Everton will lose midfielder Idrissa Gueye for the African Cup of Nations in January.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has told the Liverpool Echo that he could make a move for a midfielder to replace Idrissa Gueye in January.
The Toffees have enjoyed a superb start to the new Premier League season, winning their last four games in a row and dropping just two points so far.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Norwich City’s Kyle Lafferty
Manager Koeman has been a major part of that, having made Everton more solid at the back than under his predecessor Roberto Martinez, whilst the Toffees have still managed to impress going forward.
Summer signings Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie have already impressed, but it’s midfielder Idrissa Gueye who has been earning rave reviews.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Middlesbrough’s Adam Forshaw
Gueye, who turns 27 on Monday, joined Everton from Aston Villa in the summer, with fans a little underwhelmed at the time given that he suffered relegation to the Championship with Villa last season.
However, the Senegal international has been exceptional so far, racking up passes, touches, tackle and interceptions as he has been one of the star performers in the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
One concern for Everton is that Gueye will be missing in the early stages of 2017, as he’ll be playing in the African Cup of Nations for Senegal – which could leave Everton short in midfield.
Mohamed Besic, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson are all currently out injured, and Koeman told the Liverpool Echo that he will consider moving to sign a player to fill in for Gueye unless midfielders return from injury.
“If I get some midfielders back from injury then of course we can deal with it,” Koeman said. “If not, we need to sign another midfield player. But that is an issue for January,” he added.
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