Everton: Idrissa Gueye set to sign a new contract?
By Paul Taylor
Despite only being one season into a four-year deal, Idrissa Gueye is reportedly already having talks with Everton about signing a contract extension.
While football is often about entertainment and escapism for supporters, clubs are run as a business. Everton are no different.
One of the main aspects of running a football is taking calculated gambles, especially when it comes to investing money in a player. The Blues took one such gamble, when they paid £7.1 million last summer for Idrissa Gueye and signed him to a four-year deal.
Gueye quickly settled in at Goodison Park, with Everton reaping the benefits. By the end of 2016, he had made the highest number of tackles and interceptions per game that year, across the top five leagues in Europe.
Even as the Blues have struggled to find form at the start of the 2017/18 season, Gueye continues to perform consistently. (Not that he has been totally immune, being impacted by the failings of those around him.)
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As such, maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised to hear Everton are in talks with the 27-year-old, about signing a new deal. The news was first reported by ESPN FC, who were apparently advised by sources close to the player.
While it may seem a bit soon to already by looking to renegotiate Gueye’s contract, the Blues are concerned about potential interest from other teams. As such, the Daily Mail‘s Simon Jones writes they would like to tie him up long-term, while bringing him more in line with the club’s top earners.
At least this shows Everton’s desire to build, and more importantly maintain, a strong squad. No matter how frustrated Evertonians may be right now with the indifferent form of the team, the ambition to become a contender for the top four is evident.
Certainly, extending the contract of their Senegalese international would be a significant step in the right direction. He was the top tackler in the Premier League during the 2016/17 campaign, something which Ronald Koeman’s hopes the midfielder will repeat again for many seasons to come, in an Everton shirt.
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What’s your take on the apparent contract talks? Are Everton right to try and extend Gueye’s deal now, or is it too soon? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.