Idrissa Gueye is off to the Africa Cup of Nations and the big question on Merseyside is how much will his absence effect this Everton side?
Gueye is probably one of the first names on Ronald Koeman’s team sheet every game. He’s that pivotal in Everton’s first 11.
Gueye’s energy, tactical awareness, tackling prowess and innate ability to read the play will be sorely missed.
He covers more ground than any other Everton player and distributes the ball quickly and, for the most part, with precision.
Losing Gueye, under ordinary circumstances, for any amount of time would be a catastrophic blow for the Toffees – especially as James McCarthy is still out for another two weeks with a dodgy hamstring.
But, if you take into consideration the bigger picture, now is the best possible time for Everton to lose the Senegalese superstar.
Tom Davies deservedly gets his chance
Gueye’s departure provides Tom Davies with a chance to consistently break into the starting 11. And deservedly so. The 18-year-old midfielder has been extremely impressive in recent matches.
Playing for 90
Davies changed the complexion of the game when he came in off the bench against Hull. He was unafraid, incisive and decisive.
He played with the youthful exuberance you’d expect from an 18-year-old, but he didn’t show any signs of tentativeness, or nervousness young players often display.
He plays with a calmness that is older than his years suggest and injects pace and attacking flair otherwise missing in the heart of Everton’s midfield.
Usually, it wouldn’t be too wise to rely on an 18-year-old in the heart of a Premier League midfield. But circumstances, in this particular scenario, are conducive for Davies to claim a starting role in Gueye’s absence.
Everton are nine points behind Manchester United and, let’s face it, probably can’t catch Mourinho’s side.
There aren’t any teams, other than West Brom, who are a point adrift, that are hot on Everton’s heels. All the stars have aligned for Davies, who can take this opportunity to develop and gain much-needed first-team Premier League experience.
Gareth Barry’s steadying presence
Gareth Barry’s wealth of experience will be a steadying, calming force for the youngster. Barry is the perfect player to slot in beside the exciting, rangy midfielder. Davies has the opportunity to play beside one of the most experienced midfielders in Premier League history, which is immeasurably advantageous. He’ll be able to heed Barry’s on-field advice and mature much quicker.
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If things don’t go according to plan and Davies struggles, which I don’t foresee happening, McCarthy is only a few weeks away from full fitness. Additionally, the transfer window is about to open so there is a great likelihood that Everton will strengthen their squad in the very near future.
Make no mistake, the squad will be stretched thin in Gueye’s absence, especially for F.A. Cup ties.
And of course Gueye will be dearly missed, but all the stars have aligned to provide one of Everton’s brightest future hopes with a chance to take the Premier League by storm.