Everton could offer Gylfi Sigurdsson a new deal.
Gylfi Sigurdsson arrived at Everton in 2017 for a record breaking deal of £40 million which could go to £45 million based on certain stipulations. He was coming to Goodison on the back of a stupendous season with Swansea where he produced 10 goals and 13 assists in 40 games. Ronald Koeman signed him with the idea of supplying abundant service to the Everton frontline.
The first couple of seasons in the Royal Blue shirt were exhilarating and Sigurdsson was a joy to watch as his imagination on the field left many in awe but last season was a massive fall to mediocrity.
His creative slump embodied Everton’s problems and many regarded him as finished and not good enough for Everton. When Carlo Ancelotti took over, he handed the Iceman a new role of a central midfielder rather than being the sole creator in the 4-4-2 formation.
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The downward spiral continued for Sigurdsson as he was nowhere close to the level that got him to Everton. It was widely anticipated that Sigurdsson might be axed from the team and sold after a year long spell of mundane performances. There was also some interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia but a move never happened for the 31 year old.
Ancelotti counted on the £100,000 a week earning playmaker mainly due to the experience he brought to the team. His 2020-21 season start was not notable either. Sigurdsson was neither spectacular nor poor in the opening stages of the campaign. However, the real game changer was the injury to James Rodriguez mid December, just before the start of the congested festive fixture schedule.
The injury to the Colombian saw Sigurdsson take the baton of midfield creativity in his hands and Oh boy, did he deliver! A run of terrific performances that included two match winning goals and some top level playmaking was on display. We witnessed the vintage Sigurdsson that Everton fans saw in the first year of his Toffees career. The Iceman has 7 goal contributions this season and many believe that the 31 year old is getting back to the level that is expected from such an experienced player.
It seems that the club hierarchy has also taken note of Sigurdsson’s resurgence and are pondering over offering the Iceman a new deal, as per Daily Mail.
Should Everton renew Gylfi Sigurdsson?
Even though there have been optimistic signs of revival and a bounce back in recent games, it is safe to say that Sigurdsson is past his prime. Moreover, the Iceman isn’t getting any younger and will be 32 by the time his current deal expires. It is true that the Toffees can do with an experienced veteran but the priority should be instilling a young core and having a playmaker in the ranks who can take over James Rodriguez when the time is right.
James will not go on forever and since he’s also 29, the Toffees need to have a younger and more dynamic playmaking backup. There’s a good chance that there could be overseas interest for the Iceland international in the summer, considering he would be available for a cheaper price as he’d be in the final year of his contract.
The Toffees must sell him instead of renewing his contract and reinvest the amount collected in a younger playmaking option in the summer.