AliousIdrissa Gana Gueye has emerged as a pivotal figure in Everton’s midfield this season, having started all three Premier League matches under manager Sean Dyche.
The 34-year-old Senegalese international’s importance to the team cannot be overstated, especially considering the challenging start Everton has faced in the 2024/25 campaign.
Last season, Gueye’s impact was somewhat limited due to injuries, restricting him to just 25 league appearances.
However, his timely return towards the end of the season played a crucial role in helping the Toffees narrowly avoid relegation. This highlights the midfielder’s significance to the team’s performance and overall stability.
This season, Gueye has formed a promising partnership in the middle of the park with newcomer Tim Iroegbunam, who arrived from Aston Villa.
Their combination has shown potential to be a cornerstone of Everton’s midfield strategy as the season progresses.
This partnership could prove vital in addressing the team’s current struggles and potentially turning their fortunes around.
Everton’s start to the 2024/25 season has been nothing short of disastrous, placing immense pressure on Sean Dyche’s management.
The team’s poor performances have led to increasing scrutiny and criticism, with many questioning Dyche’s ability to lead the club out of this crisis. In such a context, the form and fitness of key players like Gueye become even more critical.
With a challenging fixture against Aston Villa looming on September 14th, Everton finds itself in dire need of points.
While expectations for a positive result against Villa are low, given the contrasting form of the two teams, Dyche will be looking to his experienced midfielder to provide stability and leadership on the pitch.
Gueye’s recent performance on international duty for Senegal has provided a glimmer of hope for Everton fans and management alike.
In a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in an African Cup of Nations qualifier, Gueye showcased his class and consistency. Playing 82 minutes before being substituted, he demonstrated his technical proficiency and defensive acumen.
The statistics from this international fixture are particularly impressive. Gueye maintained a remarkable 91% pass completion rate, successfully delivered four passes into the final third, and created two scoring chances.
His crossing and long-ball accuracy were flawless, with a 100% success rate in both categories. These numbers underscore Gueye’s ability to control the tempo of the game and provide creative impetus from midfield.
Defensively, Gueye’s performance was equally noteworthy.
He won an impressive 80% of his tackles (4 out of 5) and engaged in 12 ground duels.
However, his 42% success rate in duels suggests there’s room for improvement, especially considering the challenges that await in the Premier League.
The upcoming match against Aston Villa presents a unique challenge, not least because of the presence of former Everton player Amadou Onana in the Villa midfield.
Onana has been in scintillating form this season, ranking in the top percentiles for tackles and aerial duels won. This head-to-head battle in midfield could be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
For Everton to have any chance of success against Villa and in the matches to follow, Gueye will need to be at the peak of his powers.
His experience, technical ability, and defensive prowess will be vital in combating Villa’s dynamic midfield and in providing a platform for Everton to build their attacks.
The positive signs from Gueye’s international performance offer a ray of hope for Everton.
If he can translate this form to his club performances, it could be the catalyst Everton needs to turn their season around.
However, it’s clear that Gueye alone cannot solve all of Everton’s problems. The entire team will need to raise their game significantly if they are to climb out of their current predicament.
As the Premier League resumes after the international break, all eyes will be on Gueye and how he performs against Aston Villa.
His battle against Onana and Villa’s midfield could be a defining factor in the match. More broadly, Gueye’s form over the coming weeks could play a crucial role in determining Everton’s fate this season and, by extension, Sean Dyche’s future at the club.
In conclusion, while Idrissa Gana Gueye’s recent international performance provides a positive note for Everton, it remains to be seen whether this form can be the spark that ignites a turnaround in the team’s fortunes.
The challenges ahead are significant, but with Gueye’s experience and ability, Everton fans will be hoping he can lead by example and help steer the club away from the relegation zone and towards safer waters in the Premier League.
Alious
