Most Evertonians would quickly agree that the most exhilarating Senegalese to watch, currently playing for Everton, is none other than Iliman Ndiaye. The pacy forward can operate in multiple positions and established his value during the Toffee’s penultimate game of the Premier League season. However, his international ally, Idrissa Gana Gueye, is just as integral to this transitioning Everton team under David Moyes. Whilst Ndiaye is undoubtedly capable of conjuring chaos for opponents, Gueye’s profound ability to nullify attacks is invaluable, hence why he was recognised by both supporters and his colleagues.
In fact, since his return in September 2022, the energetic midfielder has made 303 tackles in the Premier League. Only Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo has marginally exceeded this remarkable feat during this period, with 305, at Brighton and Chelsea, in that order. Not only that, but Gueye is a dozen years older than the Ecuadorian.
At 35 years old, it would seem unreasonable for Gueye’s contract to be extended, yet there aren’t many midfielders in the world capable of replacing him. Perhaps that is why Everton are so eager to confirm his presence for at least one more season. After Ashley Young’s pre-announced departure just over a week ago, Gueye is Everton’s second oldest player, behind the iconic Seamus Coleman. It is fair to say that the Senegalese has aged like fine wine, and his experience will be invaluable to Everton, if they hope to achieve success at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After gratefully accepting his awards, Gueye told Everton TV: “I’m very proud to be part of this team and hopefully this team will get what it deserves moving forward – playing for the top five, playing in Europe and winning trophies.”
During a season of two halves, Gueye, alongside only a few Everton players, consistently performed to a high level. With an average match rating of 7.04 and 2 Player of the Match awards, according to FotMob, Gueye allowed rampant counter-attacks to build under David Moyes by sitting effectively in front of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.
With Charly Alcaraz set to sign permanently for the Toffees, the new style of attacking fluently is sure to be prominent next season. With the superb sentinel Gueye in the side, Everton can continue to score goals freely, which was a major issue under the former manager, Sean Dyche.
Although Gueye himself failed to register a goal during the recently ended campaign, he still recorded 3 vital assists. Two of these came during Moyes’s inaugural win during his second stint against newly crowned European Champions, Tottenham Hotspur. The game, which took place on Sunday 19 January 2025,, proved to be a turning point for the Blues, who went on to lose only 3 games before the end of the season. alongside many Under David Moyes, Gueye was key to the revitalisation of Everton, after a torrid beginning to the season.
After the difficult departure of 32-year-old Abdoulaye Doucouré, Everton are obviously obliged to search for a new midfielder. Whilst James Garner has been faultless, and Tim Iroegbunam has evidently demonstrated his potential as a box-to-box midfielder, Idrissa Gueye, ultimately, isn’t getting any younger (35), and is therefore prone to injuries.
Luckily, Gana missed only one game during the 2024-25 campaign, a 1-1 stalemate away at the King Power Stadium, yet reinforcements are still necessary if Everton want to achieve a top-half finish next season. But before announcing the inaugural signing of the ‘Friedkin Era’, Everton must make Gana’s contract renewal their number one priority.
In conclusion, since Gana’s homecoming during Frank Lampard’s first summer transfer window, the Senegalese has reinstated his absolute significance for the Blues. Gueye’s zippy presence simply amplifies Everton’s attacking output, whilst exuding confidence for the formidable centre-backs positioned just behind him. It’s no surprise that he claimed the two most significant awards available. His impact is immense.