Loads of Everton fans have bee discussing what Gylfi Sigurdsson has offered the club since his then-record move from Swansea City in 2017.
The conversation was sparked after one supporter took to social media to suggest that signing Sigurdsson was a huge mistake, as it showed our former Director of Football Steve Walsh spending on the past rather than looking to the future.
Sigurdsson arrived at Goodison Park for a club-record £45million on the back of helping Swansea to stay in the Premier League for another season, having contributed nine of the Jacks’ 45 goals, plus 13 assists, over 38 top-flight appearances.
His debut campaign on Merseyside would only return four goals and three assists in the Premier League, though Sigurdsson was often forced to play outside of his natural position by Ronald Koeman and later Sam Allardyce, with 17 of his outings coming at left-wing to eight in an attacking midfield role.
Marco Silva realised that was not the best way to utilise the 30-year-old during his first term at Goodison Park, and saw the Reykjavík-born midfielder create four of his six assists and 12 of his 13 goals in his natural position as a result.
But that same output did not carry over into the current campaign, with Sigurdsson only scoring once and assisting two goals in 24 league outings to date – last scoring in October’s 2-0 win over West Ham and assisting one goal in his last 20 outings.
Should this be Sigurdsson's last season at Goodison Park?
Yes
No
Part of that can be put down to Sigurdsson once again playing outside of his natural position, with the 74-cap man last playing in an advanced midfield role on November 9 as he captained the side to a 2-1 win over Southampton.
Sigurdsson may not be fortunate enough to play in that role again with Everton though, as Carlo Ancelotti reportedly plans to persist with a 4-4-2 and has raised question marks over the £25.2m-rated midfielder’s future on Merseyside.
Here are some of the messages shared from fans discussing what Sigurdsson has offered the club…
Hi Jim
In a 38 game season, is 13 goals and 6 assists, so a near 1 in 2 game direct goal contribution, not the very definition of consistency?
— McHobey (@McHobey) February 25, 2020
Garbage get rid of anyone will have him
— Mark (@lower_gwladys) February 25, 2020
Such a waste of money
— phil mcmullen (@philmcmullen1) February 25, 2020
Disagree. Sigurdsson at the time seemed like a good signing, the issue was not signing players to compliment his play. In the same window we bought Rooney, Klassen & Sandro. Last season we seen him play well with Gomes & Gueye behind.
— MR LEE (@IAM_MR_LEE) February 25, 2020
I’m not sure I’d be quite as brutal in my overall assessment, but he’s been woeful this season and the contrast on Sunday – in literally every department – between him and Gomes when he came on, was nothing short of embarrassing
— Barrel aged Hutcho (@CJHutcheon) February 25, 2020
Think I’m going to refer to him as that from now on
— Paul Albertsen (@AlbertsenPaul) February 25, 2020
Simply put, was never a ‘top six’ player and now never will be. Grossly overpriced, grossly overvalued, and grossly over-pursued.
— Mark Godfrey (@thatmarkgodfrey) February 25, 2020
I was delighted when we eventually got him, talked him up to many doubters; I believed he’d have the leadership, and on pitch ability to take #Everton forward.
I was wrong on every level, he came simply for the £100k a week salary. A complete & utter letdown.#myapologies
— Meltdown (@DieselMike2016) February 25, 2020
He had a great season last year, unfortunately this season he started to decline, bit unfair with Gylfi he has been playing 2 seasons (first of Koeman and current) out of his position as CAM, he is not a defensive or central midfielder!
— The Mexican Toffee (@MiguelMejiaMtz) February 25, 2020
In other Everton news, the club are reportedly interested in a 6 ft 3 midfielder subject of a €20m bid from a Premier League club.