Everton need to offload players this summer, especially the players who are no longer part of the project and Sean Dyche doesn’t count on them. Everton midfielder Andre Gomes spent the last season on loan at LOSC Lille and is set to return to the club in the summer.
Everton manager Sean Dyche had the midfield options of Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana, James Garner and Tom Davies to choose from. A number of midfielders were out on loan and Dyche will have to make selection calls over their future. Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Dele Alli and Gomes were out on loan at Trabzonspor, Besiktas and Lille respectively.
Last summer, EFC signed Gueye, Onana and Garner, remodeling the midfield and dislodging the likes of Gomes and Doucoure from their starting berths. Doucoure did return to the starting lineup under Dyche but considering that Gomes would have had little playing time, the former Barcelona man joined Lille on a season long loan deal.
Everton must sell Andre Gomes after a successful loan spell
The midfielder joined Everton on loan in 2018 and a year later, the Toffees bought him permanently for €25 million. The Portuguese initially impressed with his midfield performances, possessing superior technicality than most of the midfielders in the team. However, he suffered a horrific ankle injury in 2019 and that injury left mental scars that affected his game. Gomes was too slow on the ball and was inconsistent with his performances.
Perhaps, a change of scenario would have aided him and he took the chance. At Lille, Gomes has excelled and had a fruitful season. The 29 year old played 26 Ligue 1 games, starting 18 of them and having five goal contributions to his name. He has managed to keep himself relatively fit and managed to avoid any long term injury this season. Under Paulo Fonseca, Gomes has primarily played in a midfield pivot. The Portuguese looks set to return to Everton after a successful loan spell in France.
"“The season was long and complex, we would have liked to finish in a better position but it was not possible for us. However, participating in the next European competitions was the priority objective and we achieved it! Congratulations to all. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart my heart, to an extraordinary group of comrades” (Andre Gomes posted on social media via Tuttomercatoweb)"
With Gomes slated to return, what does Dyche do? The 29 year old has one year left on his current EFC deal and the current midfield looks well stacked. EFC have also offered a new deal to Davies, making their intentions clear to retain the services of the local lad.
Everton should capitalize on Gomes’ good season and place him on the market. The former Valencia midfielder is valued at £12 million as per Transfermarkt and should fetch a similar fee after a fruitful season.
Will Andre Gomes leave EFC?