Everton should give Jean-Philippe Gbamin a chance to prove his fitness
Everton should give holding midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin the chance to prove that his injury issues are now behind him.
Injuries have limited Gbamin to just six Premier League appearances since his move to Goodison Park, playing just 255 minutes of league football (FBRef).
The Liverpool Echo confirmed on Friday morning (8 July) that Gbamin had returned to preseason training, so he should be given a chance to finally come good.
Gbamin spent the second half of last season on loan at Russian giants CSKA Moscow, where he finally found regular football.
He shone during his time in the Russian capital, playing almost four times as much football for them as he has for Everton while also grabbing four goal involvements.
Give him a shot
There is no doubt that Gbamin is talented after previously shining for Mainz 05 and RC Lens before heading for Merseyside.
Everton forked out a sizeable £25million fee on Gbamin according to the BBC, and there was a reason why the fee was so high
He has nothing to prove in the talent department, but what he does need to prove is his fitness.
Two serious injuries have kept him out for a combined 538 days, just under one-and-a-half years, but that seems to have been left in the past.
During his time in Moscow, he maintained both fitness and form and did not miss a single match through injury.
Both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan faltered at points during last season and with Everton being strapped for cash right now, Gbamin could be like a new signing for Frank Lampard.
He also offers the versatility that Everton would need going into next season, being able to play at right-back and centre-back as well as central midfield.
As Everton continue to hunt around for new signings, Gbamin could offer them a solution without a transfer fee.