Goodison News View: Time running out for Everton man to prove his worth
The signing of Monaco right back Djibril Sidibe on loan by Everton last summer was viewed as a fine bit of business at the time.
This was the addition of a versatile World Cup winner who has a history of operating in a couple of different positions at a high level.
However, we are now seeing exactly why the Ligue 1 outfit decided to offload the Frenchman – albeit temporarily.
Inconsistency is the watchword with Sidibe, and it’s the thing that has plagued him throughout his time on Merseyside.
He’s a polarising figure at Goodison Park, and it appears that the club’s decision-makers themselves aren’t even sure what to make of him.
The Times reported on Monday that the Toffees have yet to make a unified decision on whether they will exercise their purchase option in Sidibe’s loan deal.
With just a few months of the campaign remaining, time is running out for the 27-year-old to earn a long-term stay at the club.
He needs to iron out the flaws that have damaged him this term, while maintaining what’s been positive for him.
Offensively, he’s been solid. He’s managed four assists this season, which is good, while his average WhoScored rating of 7.06 indicates that he has performed rather well.
Defensively, too, he’s been busy. He averages 3.6 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per game.
But this is a case where the statistics don’t tell the whole story. They don’t show the times where Sidibe loses his man or his concentration drops off. He’s had a real problem with players stealing in ahead of him to convert crosses, something which remains an issue.
There have been highs and lows, but if the right back wants a permanent deal at Goodison then he needs to find some consistency sharpish.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti has revealed why he didn’t have a post-match handshake with Mikel Arteta on Sunday.