Michael Ball hails ‘outstanding’ Everton ace who can be a ‘real asset’ to Sean Dyche
Former Everton player Michael Ball hailed Andre Gomes as “outstanding” against Tottenham and thinks the midfielder could be a “real asset” Sean Dyche.
The Portuguese made his first Premier League appearance since May 2022 after replacing Idrissa Gueye in the first half of the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (December 23).
The 30-year-old spent last season on Lille but returned to Goodison despite reports he was set to depart again in the summer.
However, Ball – writing for the Liverpool Echo (December 26) – believes Gomes can now play an important role under Dyche after an impressive cameo versus Spurs.
“I thought he was outstanding when he replaced Idrissa Gueye during the first half. The midfielder has become somewhat of a forgotten man. This was his first appearance in the Premier League since May 2022,” he wrote.
“For me, though, Gomes has always been technically our best midfielder. He is an intelligent footballer who knows how to keep the ball.
“Yes, he isn’t blessed with pace and is always likely to be outpaced, but he is able to retain possession like no one else in this team. His range of passing is also very impressive.
“Hopefully, we will see a lot more of him in the coming weeks, and he can become a real asset to Sean Dyche.”
Point to prove
It was highly expected that Gomes would depart Goodison in the summer and even when he did not it was hard to see how he would have role to play under Dyche this season.
And yet, opportunity has struck now with injuries certainly playing a factor and if he can maintain the sort of impressive cameo he showed against Spurs then there is no doubt that Gomes can be a big player in the second half of the season.
Injuries have of course played their part with Gomes during his Everton career so keeping him fit is obviously something the club would have to contend with to see him play a big role over the coming five months.
But at a time where Dyche needs to box clever with his squad, it was certainly a good time for Gomes to remind everyone of the sort of talent that once made him a Barcelona player.
He still has a big point to prove but it was a good start against Tottenham. He may now get another chance against Manchester City on Wednesday.
In other Everton news, a prominent doctor has shared a fitness update on Dele Alli.