Everton boost as Ancelotti confirms Gbamin will resume first-team training
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Jean-Philippe Gbamin will begin training with the Everton first-team next week.
The 25-year old hasn’t played for the Blues since August 2019, having suffered long-term injury after long-term injury, the first of which occurred shortly after he signed from Bundesliga outfit Mainz.
Ancelotti recently explained his belief that Gbamin would feature for Everton before the end of the season [90min], and now the Ivory Coast international has been handed another boost.
Signed for £25million from Mainz by Marco Silva [BBC Sport], Gbamin was seen to be Everton’s replacement for the Paris Saint-Germain bound Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Speaking ahead of Everton’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City on Saturday, Ancelotti revealed in his pre-match press conference that Gbamin is nearing a return.
Ancelotti said: “We have out [v Man City] Gbamin, but we have good news for him. He will start training with the team next week.”
Great news all round
Given that he only made two appearances for the Toffees before suffering the first of many lengthy injury issues, Gbamin still remains somewhat of a mystery.
It’s tough to really pin down how he can help Everton going forward, and where he might fit into Ancelotti’s plans, because we’ve barely seen anything from him to shape an opinion.
It is hugely positive though that it appears as though we’ll soon get that chance, with Ancelotti sure to be buoyed by an additional midfield option given the long-term injury to Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Compared to former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure by Bundesliga expert Daniel Pinder after initially moving to Merseyside [Liverpool Echo], Gbamin’s return could come at the right time for Everton, especially if they end up qualifying for Europe this summer.
Ancelotti is likely to want to further shape his squad to meet his own specifications this summer and Gbamin receiving game time between then and now will give him every chance at forging a role under the Italian.
It’s great for the player personally to end his extended stay on the sidelines, but more important it’s important for Everton to have further options.
In other Everton news, Gylfi Sigurdsson plans to see out his contract at Goodison Park in spite of Everton’s desire to sell him this summer.