The Curious Case of Gylfi Sigurdsson

Despite his occasional good moments, enough is enough of this spineless creature.

Games like last night's rubber stamp what we already know. This horse has been flogged so much it's a bucket of mince. With Allan back in the team alongside Doucouré, James Rodriguez could do a job for us in that No 10 position. He can't tackle or press very well (Sigurdsson may be better, but not much) but James has the ability to unlock defences that Sigurdsson will never have.

It's possible the 'contract renewal' stuff is rubbish being bandied about trying to generate a move for him from a position of strength to FC Miami or somewhere like that.

The fact is, once his goal contribution dries up (which it most certainly has), he becomes the ultimate passenger in the team.

I have to say, I'm somewhat amazed at the amount of playing time he has received under Carlo. He literally goes missing for large portions of the game, and when he does receive the ball, it normally results in a 10-yard pass, backwards or sideways to a team mate.

As another poster has said, he can't tackle, he cannot head the ball, has no pace; I really do wonder why the manager persists with him so much.

I've never met the guy, and I'm sure he is a nice fellow, but he is never captain material, never mind being a regular starter in the team.

James has the ability to pull off the sublime, but can he stay fit and play every game? If not, then Sigurdsson sadly is our second-best option. We need to be proactive in the transfer window, asap.

Unfortunately Sigurdson simply does not have the pace to be in a team trying to be at the top of the league nor is he good enough to have a team adapt to allow him to play in a role built for him.

I really wanted him to do well here as he was very good for Swansea (I'm from Swansea so watched him a lot) but I remember thinking, at the time of signing him, he wasn't a good fit! I would have kept Barkley over him! His ridiculous fee hasn't helped him either!

I'm sure he has a bit part role to play but let's face it any team aspiring to be in the top 6 or above wouldn't have him anywhere near the first 11.

The best for all concerned would be a move to a slower league! Although I can't see any sort of fee coming our way!

We need guile and pace and at the moment he's not supplying any!

At this point, I'd agree it makes sense to play Sigurdsson as No 10 against the better teams where we expect to have less of the ball and need his work rate but play Rodriguez as No 10 against the lesser teams when you need a little more inspiration to break a deep defense.

Up until the likes of Arsene Wenger came along, and changed the fitness regime to be more suited to the ways continental clubs in Europe had already adopted, Premier League players could get away with having nights out on the ale and the odd packet of fags. Those days are long gone.

The reason Sigurdsson does not fit into modern football concept, he is not seen as a footballer who can do all the clever things but runaround with lots of physical energy and stamina as well.

Playing him at number 10 has been one of our biggest problems.

I thought this story was Daily Mail fake news and laughed when I first read it but it seems to be gaining traction. It would show absolutely no ambition and I'd be appalled if he's still here after the 2021-22 season.

Many of these people do not see so much of Everton's play. This perception of Sigurdsson came for many, from his performances for the Iceland national team, where he did indeed play very well for several years.

Of course, he's older now. Winding back several years to a younger Gylfi as when he joined our club, and still not once have I seen a full match performance to rival the effort he put into those Iceland games.

Ignoring all technical aspects and abilities, this has been an uncommitted player in my opinion. A hider and a stroller. Some excellent moments, and so there should be - but the whole total of it adds to nowhere near value for what we paid and still do pay in salary.

A very unsuccessful signing.

As well as being joint top scorer in his first season with us, I think he was utterly 'unplayable' when we thrashed Man Utd 4-0 in April 2019.

It is his constant unwillingness to put in the same level of effort as he did that day which makes his selection so galling.

Kevin P hits on all the mitigating circumstances of fomations and opposition but we've all seen him fanny out of challenges which is unforgiveable.

But if he were to sign a contract for say 2-3 more years on around 40-50k then I could understand. He always works hard, by all accounts he trains very well and is a good role model, he's never injured and his game is unlikely to deteriorate much due to his qualities being intellectual and technical rather than athletic.

He's actually been pretty decent as a 10 against teams where we have less of the ball and the 10 has to work extremely hard pressing people.

Not a first team player for me but a reliable, hard working squad member with (apparently) a great attitude. If he were to sign a new contract that reflects that status then fine. But if any madcap American or Chinese team would offer us £10m for him then i'd bite their arm off!

Both Bolasie and Sigurdsson will eventually leave Everton for nothing, while Bolasie played his last game for Everton in 2018, when bought in 2017. Both players, combined, cost 73 million pounds.

Sam, I can see what you're saying. However I'd like to think the team would have no use or role for what Sigurdsson would be able to offer, in other words much better back up players. I think your last line is a most likely outcome when his days end here.

Sigurdsson came to us as a Number 10. It wasn't his fault we paid £45M or £100k per week. He has got game time under Ancelotti due to Gomes's lack of form, Allan's injury, and Tom Davies's lack of mobility.

Sigurdsson infuriates me with his positional sense. He is always on the wrong side of the player in possession.

I have noticed this season, and the end of last, he has largely been played as a centre-mid linking play rather than as a Number 10. His effort and all-round team play has improved as a result.

Whilst I don't particularly want him to get a new contract, we have to find a replacement before letting him go. Like it or not, he is probably our 3rd or 4th greatest goal threat behind Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin and Rodriguez.

I think the club will always want to have smart and professional senior players around who set a good example and can be relied upon to bring something to the team either off or on the pitch when called upon.

Perhaps Carlo sees Sigurdsson as that sort of player, i'm not against it if the contract reflects the status but he certainly ain't worth the £100k per week he's currently on!

"And he doesn't possess that instinctive first-touch ability to make something happen"... Oh yes he does!

"He lacks the positional awareness to close players down"... oh no he doesn't.

He is slow, he doesn't tackle and he is coming to the end of his Premier League days, purely because it is too quick.

He gives his all, he is totally professional and that is why the gaffer often gives him not only a starting berth, but the Captain's armband. I notice his frustration when he tries to intercept but the player beats him to it, then he jumps up in exasperation, his old limbs not doing what his mind wants. Us old farts have all been there.

Would I extend his contract? No! he is too slow and too old. Simple... but I like the guy and appreciate his talents.

My views on his signing are well documented on here, I won't go into it again other than to say my view of him has also been coloured by the vast and unnecessary sum we paid, which isn't his fault.

We mismanaged our best No 10 (Barkley) and let him go for buttons and we brought 3 duds to replace him, all for a king's ransom. If we can get any money for him, Tosun and Bernard, despite their huge contracts, then we should cut our losses and take a couple of loans on until the season ends.