Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is looking forward to his first pre-season at Goodison Park and believes the club can still improve in the upcoming campaign.
The 27-year-old midfielder was unable to complete a full pre-season with the Merseyside club last season as he completed his move from Championship side Aston Villa just weeks before the start of the Premier League campaign.
Gueye also missed a number of matches for the Toffees at the start of the new year as he was away on international duty with the Senegal national team competing in the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Gueye mentioned that pre-season is essential as it helps maintain consistency levels throughout the campaign.
“Everyone knows that it is vital for a player to get in a full pre-season,” he said.
“It’s all about charging the batteries so you can last longer throughout the whole season.
“I arrived in early to mid-August last year so I didn’t manage to get that full pre-season, but I struck lucky because I came across a good bunch of lads and a good squad that helped me settle in.”
“We’ve achieved our first objective, which is to qualify for the European places. We are aware there’s lots of work to be done over the summer to go again.”
The Senegal international was a first-team regular for Everton last season, making 35 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder scored his first and only goal for the club in the 2-0 victory over Sunderland in February at Goodison Park.
Gueye was one of the club’s best performers last season and his contribution saw him shortlisted for both the club’s Player and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
The Senegalese midfielder is set to be an important player for Everton as they prepare to play Europa League football next season.