The future of four key players threatens to hamper Everton’s chances of a top-four finish next season – Kurt Zouma, Andre Gomes, Idrissa Gueye, Richarlison. Marco Silva would be distraught to lose four of his most important players of the 2018/19 campaign.
The Toffees are desperate to sign Zouma and Gomes on permanent deals and are keen to rebuff all interest for Gueye and Richarlison, but there is a possibility that all four players won’t be at Goodison Park in 2019/20. Here’s why…
Zouma has impressed while on loan from Chelsea, but Vital Everton has explained why he may not return next season. Chelsea have a transfer ban limiting them on signing new players which means they won’t be able to replace Gary Cahill and David Luiz should the pair leave at the end of their contracts this summer. Zouma could become a squad player at Stamford Bridge.
Andre Gomes is another player to shine during his loan spell from Barcelona, but his future at Everton is uncertain. Tottenham are reportedly interested in the central midfielder and stand a good chance of signing him as they can offer Champions League football. Gomes has turned his career around at Everton, however, so the Blues still stand a chance of keeping him. Time will tell.
Idrissa Gueye made no secret about his desire to leave when Paris Saint-Germain came knocking in January, handing in a transfer request, so the latest reports linking him to Manchester United could be a problem. If a side in the Champions League make an approach, Gueye could be on his way out.
Richarlison has been linked with a move to AC Milan. And while Everton have ruled out the prospect of him leaving this summer, the Brazilian might have other ideas. He left Watford after just one season so it wouldn’t be completely out of the question for history to repeat itself at Everton. Silva will be worried if Richarlison garners a lot of interest over the summer.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Explained: Everton may have to pay £40m and £4.7m wages to sign Chelsea man