Sigurdsson decided against Everton deadline day exit to ‘fight for his place’ – report
Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson was almost sold by his club on deadline day but chose to stay at Goodison Park, according to The Athletic.
Sigurdsson has found his opportunities limited in the Premier League this season, following the recruitment of new centre midfielders in the summer.
The Athletic say that Everton were ‘open’ to selling Sigurdsson to Saudi side Al-Hilal on deadline day, before the Icelandic international decided to stay and ‘fight for his place’.
Sigurdsson has only started one game in the league this season, in the Toffees’ last outing against Brighton. He has however started all three of Everton’s Carabao Cup games, grabbing a goal and an assist against Salford City.
Sigurdsson’s stock has fallen since he joined Everton in a club-record deal in August 2017, with the Icelander not hitting the same levels of consistency he did at his previous side, Swansea.
There have been occasional moments of quality, most memorably screamers at home against Manchester United and away at Leicester, but last season Sigurdsson only managed two goals and three assists in 28 starts in the league.
Carlo Ancelotti clearly saw the Toffees midfield as a problem last season, as he brought three midfielders to Goodison Park this summer. Allan, James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure arrived from Napoli, Real Madrid and Watford respectively and all immediately went ahead of Sigurdsson in the pecking order.
But the 31-year-old has decided to stay with Everton and prove that he still has what it takes to perform in the Premier League. This attitude from the Icelandic international can only be a good thing, as on his day he is a great player and can be useful to Carlo Ancelotti as he looks to keep Everton fighting at the top of the table.
In other Everton news, Bournemouth are anticipating Everton interest in wantaway player.