Everton have a wealth of stars all out enjoying international duty at the moment.
It arguably came at the perfect time for Sean Dyche, as it allowed him and his players some rest from an already tough season that has seen them lose their opening three Premier League games.
Pressure is mounting, and upon their return, there’s hope that a renewed mindset and freshness could help them finally put some points on the board.
And, it doesn’t hurt when their players thrive whilst away either, with one man having been lauded for his performance last night.
National media laud Idrissa Gana Gueye
Having played just 61 minutes, it was an atypically creative display from the defensive midfielder, who starred as a screen for Senegal’s back four as they cruised to a 1-0 win over Burundi.
Managing 52 touches, and maintaining an 82% pass accuracy, he snuck two key passes in there as well whilst also winning 75% of the duels he competed in, via Sofascore.
As such, Idrissa Gana Gueye was lauded with the following praise by WIW Sport, a Senegalese outlet.
They wrote: ‘Unlike his two partners in the middle, the Everton player much closer to the Senegalese defense. As in his last appearance, he was essential for his team. Very present in recovery, he often put his partners in space thanks to his sense of passing.’
Ironically, despite this adulation, the £80k-a-week enforcer received just a 5/10 rating.
Will Orel Mangala replace Idrissa Gana Gueye at Everton?
It’s quite ironic that, due to their inability to replace Gueye after he left for Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019, they actually welcomed him back to the club just three years later.
And yet, even now, a whole eight years after he first joined from Aston Villa, the 34-year-old remains a mainstay in Everton’s starting side.
Whether this is a searing indictment of the club’s recruitment policy across this decade or just a testament to the player’s longevity remains to be seen, but with Orel Mangala welcomed to Everton this summer, at last an alternative has been identified.
Although it is only a loan move, the Belgian promises to offer everything that the Senegal international normally does with an added proficiency in possession.
Last season for Lyon, the 26-year-old had an 86% pass accuracy, but paired that with 0.9 key passes per game too, via Sofascore.
He is not quite as defensive-minded as Gueye, so will need some help from the likes of Tim Iroegbunam, but Mangala promises another option in midfield to finally diversify and move away from their reliance this ageing cult hero.
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