Everton veteran Gueye hands Dyche ‘huge’ boost in ‘very important’ role
Sean Dyche set for ‘huge’ Idrissa Gueye benefit as Everton midfielder backed for ‘very important’ role
Idrissa Gana Gueye is set to remain a “very important” part of the Everton team this season even if he isn’t starting every game because of his ability to perform immediately, according to Paul Brown.
The former Daily Star journalist told GiveMeSport (16 November) that the Senegal midfielder is the kind of “experienced professional” who can maintain a high level even without a consistent run of games, a quality he believes will be “huge” for Sean Dyche.
Gueye, 34, has been in and out of the starting XI of late and rarely makes the headlines but came off the bench at Crystal Palace last weekend (11 November) to score the winner in a 3-2 victory.
Brown said: “I think he’s going to be very important this season. I said before I think that he’s the kind of experienced professional who is going to be able to slot into the team quite seamlessly if he’s missed a game or been rested and will still produce at a high level.
“I just think he’s someone who doesn’t need a consistent run of games to maintain his form. He’s used to this kind of thing, and I think he’s got an important role to play because he might not start every game at his age. And that seems like a smart decision really from the manager.
“But I think when he plays, he’ll be able to contribute and that’s huge for Sean Dyche.”
Not done yet
Perhaps unsurprisingly the Gueye that returned from Paris Saint-Germain two summers ago hasn’t had the same impact at Goodison Park as the one that left for the French giants three years prior.
But he has still been a regular starter alongside Amadou Onana throughout that time under both Frank Lampard and Dyche.
However, the current boss has increasingly turned to James Garner in his midfield, and with results undoubtedly improving it is likely that veteran Gueye will have to be content with a place among the subs more often going forward.
But the rare goal off the bench at Selhurst Park as a half-time substitute demonstrated the three Ligue 1 champion has something to offer yet.
Since the current Toffees squad has more of an ability to threaten going forward there is far more scope for the defensive midfielder to be brought on late in games to tighten up if Dyche’s men are looking to hold onto a lead.
So if Brown is right that Gueye is the sort of player that doesn’t need to be playing all the time to maintain a rhythm then he should prove very useful over the rest of the year.
