Idrissa Gueye’s return to Everton wasn’t meant to be headline news this season—but the veteran midfielder has become one of the club’s standout figures during a crucial campaign under David Moyes.
We spoke to LiverpoolWorld’s Will Rooney about Gueye’s form and why it’s made such a difference at Goodison Park.
We spoke to LiverpoolWorld’s Will Rooney about Gueye’s form and why it’s made such a difference at Goodison Park.
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00:00Idrissa Gueye's return to Everton wasn't meant to be headline news this season,
00:08but the veteran midfielder has become one of the club's standout figures
00:12during a crucial campaign under David Moyes.
00:15With his tireless work ethic, positional intelligence and ability to break up play,
00:20Gueye has anchored Everton's midfield with class and composure.
00:25His leadership on and off the pitch has also been key in stabilising the club
00:28during a season of transition.
00:31In a team that needed experience and calm under pressure, Gueye delivered.
00:35The question now is whether he can maintain this standard
00:38and how Everton plan to build around him next season.
00:42We spoke to Liverpool World's Will Rooney about Gueye's form
00:46and why it's made such a difference at Goodison Park.
00:52And well, just looking at a specific player, Idrissa Garner-Gay,
00:55and obviously when he came back to Everton for a great deal in terms of his output since,
01:01he's been fantastic.
01:03What do you sort of make of his season and the last sort of, you know,
01:06since he rejoined the club and how sort of close he is to the fans as well
01:11and how you sort of look at his game and you can tell that he's been at the very,
01:14very top level of football.
01:16And it's been a really, you know, good deal for Everton to have him back in the side.
01:20What's the sort of take on him and his impact and then also his future moving forward?
01:26I think he's had his best season this year.
01:29I think he's been absolutely unbelievable and just got stronger and stronger
01:33as the season wore on.
01:35Maybe he wasn't quite suited to the way Frank Lampard's plays when he was brought in,
01:42but improved on Sean Dyche, excellent last season, this season.
01:46And he's just, it's gone up another notch.
01:49It's almost like, you know, he was brought in as a young student,
01:54just sort of on and up with trajectory.
01:57And, you know, if he was 10 years younger,
01:58you'd be thinking like when he went to PSG, we're going to lose him soon.
02:04Because he's been, he's been that good.
02:06It's just, you know, it's 35, 36.
02:08He never seems to stop.
02:10So energetic.
02:10And I think he almost knows his limitations now and uses them to an advantage.
02:18You know, keeps things simple, doesn't try anything out of the ordinary.
02:23And I think maybe that's why he has taken another step up this season.
02:27Now, can I think keep hold of him?
02:29Because, you know, we've discussed how many players are out of contract in the summer.
02:34David Moyes will want some continuity.
02:36And why wouldn't you want a player who is performing to an exceptional level week in, week out?
02:45The problem that Evan got is, we'll say, you know, links to Saudi Arabia.
02:52Will it just a guy that you want to go out and earn a big payday?
02:56Spend his final days out there.
02:59A little bit of an easier standard.
03:01Well, a much easier standard.
03:03Not take his toll on his body as much.
03:06Means that he can be, you know, carrying on playing for Senegal for a couple more years, potentially.
03:12Or does he commit his future to Everton?
03:14Because he absolutely adores playing at Everton.
03:17He left playing alongside the superstars at PSG to return to Everton.
03:22Because he loves the club that much.
03:24He's said it a few times.
03:27It's just maybe, do Everton look at the wage and think, well, is it worth it or not?
03:32Well, I think, who else do you go and get for a player of that ilk?
03:35I don't think there's a player out there, you know, for another season.
03:40For his wages, there's not another player out there who can do what he does.
03:43So, you'd like to think that Everton can get a deal over the line.
03:47I think it will be in Idrissa Garnagay's course, whether he stays or not.
03:51I think you've got three.
03:53I think you've got Jordan Pickford, who's won it for the last three years.
03:55Again, he's been exceptional between the posts.
03:59He's proven why he's England number one.
04:02He's just a pillar of solidity, someone you can rely on week in, week out.
04:10Idrissa Garnagay in the middle, we discussed before.
04:14Unbelievable.
04:15Having his best season since he returned to Everton, without a doubt.
04:19And Illumina Ndias has enjoyed a really good campaign.
04:22He's had a little bit of a dip of late.
04:24And since David Moyes arrived, Jake O'Brien's been excellent at right bat.
04:28But, yeah, three you're probably looking at between Pickford's Gay and Indy.
04:32I'd say if it was going to put me, I think Pickford might edge it again in terms of the play of the season.
04:40But Garnagay is definitely giving him a run for his money.