£2m player says he never intended to join Everton until he spoke to Seamus Coleman

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Everton have not cultivated many legends in recent memory, given the dire circumstances of the club.

However, that has not been for the want of trying, with untold riches having been pumped in as they have chased a return to their former glory.

Ironically, in the end, they have just been going around in circles, and if anything have regressed since Farhad Moshiri’s emergence.

The signing of Idrissa Gana Gueye, whilst not unsuccessful, arguably typifies this.

Idrissa Gana Gueye reveals why he re-joined Everton

Speaking to Everton’s official website, Gueye has since revealed the story of how he came to return from Everton from Paris Saint-Germain for just £2m.

Having left for £28m just three years prior, the Senegal international had impressed in France alongside stars like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

However, the allure of the Toffees proved too much, as he had struck up a fine relationship with the Evertonians since leaving Aston Villa.

Not only that, but he was seemingly pestered by one man too: Seamus Coleman.

Gueye noted: ‘Honestly, it wasn’t in my plan to return to Everton – I was in Paris and I thought I would stay there for a long time and fight with them, but then when I got the call from Everton to say they were interested me in bringing me back, and I couldn’t say no.

‘I spoke to the Club and to people like Seamus [Coleman] and my mind was made up. I had to come back here.

‘I will always give everything I have for Everton. Ultimately, as a Club, we’ve got to learn from things that have happened before and move forward because nobody wants the trend of just surviving to continue – it can’t be normal for Everton. The Club will find solutions, I’m sure. We stay positive and move forward.’

Is Seamus Coleman an Everton legend?

For some, a legend of a club can only be a player who has tasted silverware at some point during their tenure.

However, for Everton, that rules every single player who joined after 1995 out, which feels harsh.

Legend status, in my opinion, can be attained through any number of avenues, as not every club is blessed enough to enjoy periods laden with silverware.

For some, their club has never won a major honour throughout its entire history.

Also, it is therefore harsh to perhaps punish a player like Coleman for the era he was brought into, as he is surely far better than many who lifted the FA Cup in that aforementioned trophy-winning year.

The Ireland international has amassed a huge number of appearances for the club, stuck with them through thick and thin, been a fearless leader and represented the Toffees with grace and decorum.

For me, he is a legend of the club, and whether he departs with a trophy or not should hold no weight on that status.