End may be nigh for Idrissa Gueye at Everton after what Amadou Onana did for Belgium v Azerbaijan
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye may soon be staring down the barrel of a permanent Goodison Park axe after what teammate Amadou Onana showcased on international duty for Belgium.
The big-money Everton midfielder helped the Red Devils to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Saturday (9 September) in a crucial victory for their Euro 2024 qualification hopes.
The Red Devils were far from their best in Baku on Saturday (9 September) but a slightly lucky goal from Yannick Carrasco saw them scrape through and leapfrog above Austria in their qualifying group on goal difference.
It is now five games unbeaten for the Belgians under new manager Domenico Tedesco (4W, 1D) since his appointment in February and Everton midfielder Onana has steadily proven a key performer for the Red Devils over the course of the former Leipzig manager’s tenure.
The Guardian journalist Will Unvin, writing for the UK publication on 6 September shared that the 22-year-old maestro is set to form an “exciting” part of Belgium’s new generation that will be at the forefront of Belgium’s future qualifying campaigns and international tournaments.
Against Azerbaijan, Onana proved just why he is the leader of the new Belgium school with a dominant display as the Red Devils’ deepest midfielder, something Gueye may have to be wary of when he heads back to Goodison Park this week after international duty.
The majority of Belgium’s attacking football came through the 22-year-old, who completed 44 passes in Baku, three tackles and 10 duels [SofaScore], all more than any other player on either side managed.
14 of his 44 passes were played into the final third highlighting his impressive ball progression and invention from deep areas, whilst linking up well with former Toffee Romelu Lukaku throughout the game, on what was a difficult pitch to maintain possession he also made 11 ball recoveries.
Onana doesn’t play the lone-six role at Goodison Park with Dyche giving those responsibilities to veteran Gueye instead, but after what the Belgian showcased in difficult circumstances in Azerbaijan, Gueye may certainly have to give up his role and empty his locker very soon with Everton desperately needing to address the position in the long-term.
The 33-year-old is certainly on the decline at Goodison Park and isn’t getting younger and there are doubts about his ability and composure to match it with some of the Premier League’s most elite and decisive midfielders.
Onana has highlighted time and time again while he is made for this level, but Gueye has flattered to deceive on occasions and has also left his teammate high and dry through his lacklustre performances behind him in the Everton midfield.
If Everton are to move past the mediocrity they’ve meddled with for so long, ushering out the likes of Gueye and giving crucial roles to top young stars like Onana is the perfect way to go and as the 22-year-old showed for Belgium over the weekend, he’s a stark upgrade on what Sean Dyche already has in defensive midfield.
The end is nigh for Gueye.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has shared his stance on whether Everton will explore a free transfer opportunity to replace Demarai Gray.