Sigurdsson raves about ‘Fantastic’ Everton team-mate Rodriguez
Gylfi Sigurdsson believes that fellow playmaker James Rodriguez and himself can play in the same Everton team.
The Iceland international has faced increased competition for game time on Merseyside this season, with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and James Rodriguez all bolstering the club’s midfield options.
Rodriguez has often played on the right while Doucoure and Allan have sat deeper, allowing Sigurdsson to occupy his natural Number. 10 role.
However the 31-year old has been required to play a deeper role in recent weeks, with Allan having not played since mid-December and with James moving into a more central position.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sigurdsson explained his belief that both James and himself can play together in the same team. He said: “I personally feel we can play in the same team, and I’m sure the manager thinks so too as we’ve played some games together. Obviously, we can’t play in the same position, so we’re going to have to work around that.
“He’s fantastic on the ball, technically very good, can see passes that no one else sees, and has got an eye for goal. We’re players that aren’t going to be playing out wide with much pace. You’d expect someone like Alex Iwobi or Richarlison with more pace and with the ability to be more direct running with the ball to be out wide.
“In the Wolves game, we both played as ‘strikers’ which was a bit different for both of us as we’ve hardly played in that position, but we ended up coming away with a win. I feel it’s more than possible and I think both of us believe that.”
A deficit of pace
While Sigurdsson and James might be able to play in the same team together, that isn’t always the best plan of action for the Blues.
Both players severely lack pace and an energetic work rate, and because of that others players are tasked with picking up the slack.
In an ideal world Everton would field just the one option, preferably James, while younger players with greater pace and determination surround him.
With Allan ready to return against Southampton, Sigurdsson shouldn’t be needed in a deeper role, with James keeping him out of the team as a result.
Everton are a more balanced unit with pace on both flanks, so hopefully we’ll see Alex Iwobi or Josh King lining up on the right with James in the middle in the immediate future, with Sigurdsson taking his place on the bench.
In other Everton news, Southampton have handed Everton a boost after revealing that Oriol Romeu and Takumi Minamino will miss Monday’s game.