There can be few Everton fans who aren’t aware of the late January transfer window deadline day shenanigans involved Paris Saint-Germain and their late cheeky offer for midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The 29-year-old Senegal international certainly had his head turned given the transfer request he put in, and he’s made no secret in interviews since that that he hopes PSG will come back in for him over the summer when Everton may be more inclined to sell, given they will have chance to source a replacement for him in midfield.
Having missed a few games with many thinking his ‘injury’ was merely a polite way of saying his focus wasn’t right, few in fairness can doubt the fact he’s remained professional since returning to manager Marco Silva’s first team plans and he is giving his all on the pitch as we look to turn around poor form in recent months.
That was evident to everyone in last weekend’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool as we gave them a hiccup in their title race by securing a goalless draw.
Former Tottenham Hotspur player and now pundit, was glowing in praise for Gueye for his efforts in the derby as he spoke to Match of the Day on Sunday evening.
“The real bright spark was Idrissa Gana Gueye. He was not only combative but when he needed to be a bit more calm on the ball he had that ability, too. For 60 minutes he was absolutely brilliant, winning it and hurrying Mo Salah into mistakes. Roberto Firmino came on and he was all over him as well.”
High praise indeed, and I think most fans would accept his eventual move next summer if he keeps applying himself like that and giving us that determination whilst he’s still on our books. Plenty of players these days go the wrong way when their head has been turned – those that continue to give their all, often get their reward in the right way.