Jean-Philippe Gbamin was perceived as a midfield monster offering tenacity and assurance in the engine room when he was signed for £25 million back in 2019. Many deemed him as the Idrissa Gueye replacement who had joined PSG that same summer.
Two and a half years later, the Gbamin flight never took off from the Goodison terminal. Perhaps, the Ivorian has one of the worst possible fortunes when it comes to fitness. Gbamin has had three excruciating injuries in two seasons, restricting him to just 146 minutes of football in two full seasons as an Everton player.
In total, Gbamin has missed a whopping 86 games for the Toffees. His tale is beyond tragedy. All one can do is feel sorry for the player and for Everton as they have failed to witness Gbamin’s capabilities even once.
Under Rafa Benitez, the former Mainz midfielder has hardly been a part of the first team dynamics, playing just 154 minutes of football. Benitez has preferred to play Tom Davies and Andre Gomes ahead of Gbamin while Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan remain the preferred first team duo. The 26 year old is not even a regular option off the bench, which really sparks the question over Gbamin’s future.
Jean-Philippe Gbamin could leave as Everton plan midfield rejig with Sean Longstaff
According to Liverpool ECHO, Everton have informed Gbamin that he is free to search for greener pastures in the January transfer window. The possibility of a permanent move seems low with a loan move more likely. Clubs from Italy and Germany are keen on Gbamin but there is nothing concrete at the moment.
With Everton informing Gbamin of their stance, it looks clear that Benitez is pushing for a midfield rejig. After addressing the full back area, the midfield is the next department that needs some bolstering.
Gbamin could leave and Fabian Delph is in the final six months of his Everton contract. As a pair, the midfield two of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure have been effective but when taken into context, a midfield two have struggled in Benitez’s system.
On several occasions, a tweak in the middle of the game, going for a midfield three has proven to be beneficial, giving more control to the Toffees in the middle of the park. According to Sky Sports, Everton are eyeing Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United as Benitez hopes to reunite with the midfielder who is out of contract in the summer.
In fact, Everton have already made a bid for the Englishman but their initial bid has been knocked back by the Magpies. Everton and Benitez are planning a midfield rejig and acquiring Longstaff’s services seems to be one of the phases of the plan. Offloading Gbamin and Delph seem the other phase and it seems both these plans have been put in action.
Will Everton manage to offload Jean-Philippe Gbamin?