Michael Ball has compared Idrissa Gana Gueye to N’Golo Kante.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, the former Everton defender has claimed that Gueye is ‘too slow’ to play as a No.6 for the club.
The 33-year-old joined the Toffees in 2016 and was sensational as he was named Everton’s Players’ Player of the Season in his final year. Gueye’s brilliant form earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain, though he returned to Goodison Park three years later.
However, the ageing midfielder isn’t quite the player he once was and Ball has compared his style to Kante – though this doesn’t seem to necessarily be a good thing in Everton’s system.
“The No.6 isn’t an area I don’t think we’ve got covered properly since Gareth Barry left the club maybe,” Ball said.
“Idrissa Gueye, we’ve tried to use him there but he hasn’t got the ability to keep the ball. He gives the ball away, too slow, possession play is not his game – his is similar to Kante’s – likes chasing the game, running, nipping in front of players.”
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Who can be Everton’s No.6 if it isn’t Idrissa Gueye?
Gueye has started all four of Everton’s games in the Premier League so far but has struggled to run the midfield.
Dyche has options in midfield such as Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner, though he is yet to quite understand how to balance his team in that area of the pitch.
It will be a relief when he is able to bring the latter back into a central position after a run of games out wide for the Toffees. The former Manchester United man is clearly a huge talent and has arguably been wasted out of position, while he could definitely help firm up the midfield once everyone is back fit.
Meanwhile, Gueye’s contract at Merseyside is set to expire next summer and could be on his way out of the club. If Dyche can keep Everton in the Premier League for another season then they need to look into bolstering that No.6 position before they go any further.