With still no concrete signs of new arrivals at Goodison Park, it’s becoming more important than ever that Jean-Phlippe Gbamin recovers from his injuries if Everton are to have a good campaign next season.
I, along with I imagine all Blues supporters, still hope that Everton will be able to engineer moves for at least three, maybe four players who can substantially and importantly, immediately, improve the team next season.
However, time is ticking on and we still have no clearer sense of whether the club are going to be able to close any of the possible deals allegedly in the pipeline.
The rumours continue to float around that the Toffees are trying to sign Napoli’s Allan and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, we wait and see if these or any other players do eventually arrive at Goodison Park.
We’ve also mentioned just a few days ago that its possible that the pandemic crisis has torpedoed the Blues chances of getting in the players they really wanted.
Whoever does eventually come in through the doors at Finch Farm, if indeed anyone does, I think a largely forgotten player could be key to the team’s success next season and that’s Gbamin.
Gbamin’s almost unbelievably bad luck and nearly comically improbable series of injury problems, probably played a critical part in sabotaging Marco Silva’s second season last term and the long-term prospects of the team.
If the Blues can’t get in the players that Carlo Ancelotti wants, something that would be a major blow to the team and the fans morale, then Gbamin’s fitness will become very important.
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The Ivory Coast midfielder could in effect be essentially a brand new player next season, if, and of course its a big if, he can finally shake off all these injury problems.
Gbamin will bring not only great defensive qualities in midfield but as was mentioned yesterday, he would enable Ancelotti to use different formations and tactics to get the best out of the players he does have and combat opponents more effectively.
He is also a very effective central defender as well and this could actually help Everton kill two birds with one stone.
If Gbamin can return to good health, then the Toffees would have a player who can also fill in alongside one of the other centre-backs. Given that it’s likely the Blues won’t get in another centre-back after the Gabriel deal has fallen through, this is also important.
So if indeed Everton are struggling to bring in new recruits, then Blues fans will have to start praying that the Ivory Coast international can come back from his horrendous problems or the Toffees are in real trouble next season.