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Everton boss says no to Gbamin replacement

By Matt Townsend

Everton's Ivorian midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin runs onto the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 5, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's Ivorian midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin runs onto the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 5, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Jon Super / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Carlo Ancelotti has ruled out Everton going into this summer’s transfer market to sign another central midfielder despite Jean-Philippe Gbamin’s latest injury nightmare ended his season.

This is an interesting statement from the Everton manager who seems to be willing to take a chance that the Ivory Coast midfielder will be fit again when next season kicks off.

Gbamin had of course only just returned to the Toffees team after more than 500 days out injured when he came on against Crystal Palace a week ago on Monday.

Then after everyone was tentatively thinking his unbelievably unlucky run of injuries was in the past, he suffered yet another freak accident in training and is out now until next season!

So it raised the question as to whether Everton would have to go out and sign one of the midfielders they have been strongly and repeatedly linked with.

The player most often in focus is Juventus star Adrien Rabiot. The unsettled French midfielder is being hawked around by the Italian giants who are it seems very keen to get him off their books.

Rabiot would be a player who could replace Gbamin at least in some respects. The former PSG man is a solid defensive midfielder who can also offer some quality attacking support although he doesn’t create or score a lot of goals.

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However, while Ancelotti certainly knows the Frenchman and likes him, it now seems that he isn’t gloing to pursue Rabiot this summer.

This decision is a risky one for the Blues boss to take. Ancelotti and the club have been talking about a limited summer spend this year.

If that’s the case then difficult decisions and choices will have to be made about where to prioritise that spending.

So Gbamin’s problems are a key aspect fo this thinking. If the midfielder can recover full fitness then Everton will have essentially a brand new player who can provide athleticism, power and defensive versatility.

He can play in midfield and in central defence so giving Ancelotti additional versatility and choices that help strengthen his side.

If the Everton manager is genuinly ruling out signing another midfielder, then we all have to hope that Gbamin can fully recover the qualities that made Marco Silva spend so much money on him. Or the Blues might have another season with an inconsistent and at times dysfunctional midfield, something they can’t afford again.

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