Idrissa Gueye has been praised for his performances so far this season, however he owes a big part of his success to midfield partner Gareth Barry.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action
Ever since arriving from Aston Villa, Idrissa Gueye has been putting in solid performances week after week for his new club Everton. The 26-year-old is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Goodison Park and whilst his natural ability is clear to see, it’s his partnership with Gareth Barry that is really helping him to shine.
The veteran Barry has continued to play consistently good football for years now, proving that age is just a number to some players. In the game against Sunderland on Monday night, the Englishman put in more tackles than anyone else on the pitch in addition to his four clearances.
Gueye’s tendencies to surge forward and create opportunities for his side have been one of the biggest attributes people have praised him for, however the 35-year-old Barry is more than happy to do the ugly work necessary to ensure that his partner in crime gets the chance to make those runs.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Tottenham’s Dele Alli
Some pundits felt that Everton had gotten soft in recent years, and it’s clear to see that the team have listened with Barry leading by example. The key point is that both men know their roles and stick to them, showing what an influence Koeman has been since arriving at the club.
It’s a system that will continue to frustrate teams simply due to the bond that has been created between these two players in such a short space of time. As the season goes on they’ll only get stronger as a unit, continuing to excel in both an attacking and defensive sense.
For the first time in a few years Barry has a clear role within the squad, which is something that couldn’t be said when Roberto Martinez was at the helm. His positioning is fantastic and allows for everyone around him to exceed in their positions, which is clearly something that has been worked on in training.
The praise for Idrissa Gueye is extremely warranted, however people need to remember that there’s a reason Gareth Barry has been playing at this level for 20 years now.
Everton’s Gareth Barry celebrates scoring their second goal
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
