View: Ancelotti must rely on Gbamin as Everton injuries stack up
Jean-Philippe Gbamin could find himself a valuable asset for Everton sooner than expected following his return from long-term injury.
The Ivory Coast international returned to action for the Toffees on Monday after 597 days sidelined with injury, coming on a second-half substitute against Crystal Palace.
Despite Everton conceding late against the Eagles, Gbamin’s appearance would prove to be a rather uneventful 11 minute cameo, with the 25-year old not really having much impact.
However, Everton could hope to see Gbamin make more of an impression when they face Brighton at the Amex on Monday.
The Toffees are expected to be without all three of their preferred midfield unit when they face the Seagulls, with Gbamin now needed to step up his return to full match sharpness.
Abdoulaye Doucoure fractured his foot in early March, ruling him out for up to ten weeks, while Ancelotti revealed prior to facing Palace that Allan would also be unavailable.
Andre Gomes then sustained a hamstring injury in the first-half against Palace, being replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson, and the Portugal international could now also be a doubt on Monday.
Tom Davies has been a regular under Ancelotti since Allan sustained an injury in December, and Sigurdsson will likely replace Andre Gomes. That still leaves one midfield space open, and Gbamin could well find himself picked to start.
Both Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey have played in midfield in the past, while Ancelotti has often made use of the duo’s versatility, however now that Gbamin is fit and ready to play it seems likely that he could fill that gap.
Ancelotti spoke earlier this week about how Gbamin possesses ‘strong character’, stating that he could become a “top midfielder” for Everton down the line, indicating the Italian’s faith in the former Mainz man.
He may now be forced to hope that his faith isn’t ill-placed, with the Blues facing pressure to qualify for Europe in their final nine games of the season.
In other Everton news, the Blues could be willing to take a significant loss on £135k-per-week ace as summer exit looms.
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