Everton hopeful Gbamin returns eight weeks after surgery
By James Reeve
Everton are hopeful of seeing Jean-Philippe Gbamin return to action in eight weeks time after a successful surgery this week.
Jean-Philippe Gbamin has made just two Premier League appearances since arriving at Everton during the summer transfer window last year.
After moving to the blue half of Merseyside from Bundesliga club 1.FSV Mainz 05 for around £25 million, the Ivorian central defensive midfielder has struggled with serious thigh injuries.
Gbamin has now completed a second surgery on the problem and has reportedly been given an eight-week timeframe for a possible return to the side.
Gbamin was one of Everton’s four biggest deals during the summer, alongside Alex Iwobi, Moise Kean and Andre Gomes, who himself has had a challenging time with injuries this season.
Capped 12 times for the Ivory Coast national team, the 24-year-old was brought in to play a complementary role alongside Gomes, after the departure of Idrissa Gana Gueye, and is expected to be a long-term player for the Toffees.
The five-year deal he was handed when he joined the club was a clear indication of the belief the team’s hierarchy has in him and it has been a bitter disappointment to see him remain sidelined for so much of the season.
Prior to joining the Toffees, Gbamin had gained a wealth of experience both in Germany and in France, having also represented the latter from Under-18s to Under-21s level before choosing to play for the country of his birth.
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Gbamin featured in 86 Bundesliga matches for Mainz while racking up 91 league appearances for French outfit RC Lens, with the majority of those spent in Ligue 2.
He also has a further 11 appearances in domestic cup competitions while featuring five times during Mainz’ 2016/17 Europa League campaign.
After his successful surgery, having him available for selection before the end of the 2019/20 season will be a positive boost for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has not yet been able to have him feature in any match day line-up since taking charge at the club.
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What do you think of this news Everton fans? Are you pleased to hear that Gbamin is on the road to recovery? Are you also hopeful of seeing him in a Blues shirt before the end of the season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!