Everton star Idrissa Gueye called ‘magnificent’ after what he did v England
Everton have taken the first major step in their preparation for next season by announced their retained list.
The Toffees announced their decisions on the futures of several out-of-contract stars as David Moyes and Co. lay the first foundations for next season’s squad as they look to capitalise on their recent turnaround.
The L3 outfit are set to release plenty of first-team players, including the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, but have also tabled offers for some of their stars to stay at the club for their imminent move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Kalidou Koulibaly brands Idrissa Gana Gueye as ‘magnificent’
One of those men to be offered renewed terms by the Toffees was Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The 35-year-old has just completed his sixth season at Everton, across two separate spells, but remains as important as ever to the club’s plans.
The Senegalese international has been a reliable figure for Moyes since his return to the club back in January, and has turned in several impressive performances in the middle of the park.
His importance to both Moyes and the team means that the offer of a new deal has come as no surprise.
Gana Gueye was also excellent in Senegal’s 3-1 victory over England at the City Ground on Tuesday (10 June), and drew plenty of praise from his nation’s captain, the former Napoli and Chelsea star Kalidou Koulibaly.
“Everybody knows Gana (Gueye) is a magnificent player – an amazing player,” the 33-year-old said. “He knows that he is going to get what he deserves (a new contract) because he is a good player – he has made the story of Senegal and made the story of Everton this year.
“I think, in the future, he will be a good trainer (coach) because he gives very good advice to all of the players he trains with. But he is a very important player for Everton now, so I hope he will stay at Everton for next season – for Everton and for him.”
Gana Gueye will be key for Everton next season
Moyes will be keen to further mould this Everton team into his image next season, as he looks to push the club back into the top half of the Premier League.
However, while the Scotsman will surely be keen to add plenty of new faces to the squad, the likes of Gana Gueye will still be key to their fortunes.
| Seasons | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 6 | 208 | 7 | 8 |
The midfielder is a seasoned campaigner now on Merseyside and knows what it takes to be an Everton player, as well as understanding the demands of the fans and the community. Players like that can be crucial to driving standards within a squad, and ensuring new additions quickly get up to speed with what is expected of them at the club.
When you throw in the fact that the veteran is still clearly a very capable player, it surely would have been a no-brainer for the Toffees to offer him renewed terms.