OPINION
Everton might have made a handful of exciting signings over the summer window but the fans at Goodison Park have been made to wait to see their new stars in action in the early stages of the season.
The likes of Bernard, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma were all brought in to help bolster Marco Silva’s side for the new campaign but rather than having them all ready for action, they all required bedding in, while some were recovering from injury problems.
While the Brazilian winger and Colombian and French centre backs had all managed to play their part before Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace, the visit of the Eagles saw Portuguese international Gomes make his debut for the Toffees, starting in midfield along Idrissa Gueye and lasting 82 minutes before being substituted off.
He might not have played his part in the goals on the way to a 2-0, with Everton leaving it until the 87th minute to break the deadlock, but some of the Goodison Park faithful were left raving over what they saw, turning to Twitter to herald his display.
Andre Gomes has made the midfield work in one 75minute performance. Superb.
— Toffee Penguin ? (@ToffeePenguin) October 21, 2018
That Andre Gomes eh? Couldhe be the most elegant midfielder we have had since the wonderful Martin Dobson?
— Blackrod Blue (@blackrodblue) October 21, 2018
Andre Gomes absolutely superb today. Been out injured for a long time, first game in the PL and he ran the show. A proper playmaker who dictates play!
— Danny (@OfficialDannyE) October 21, 2018
Now, there is no doubting that Gomes put in an assured performance in the middle of the park, but the supporters have obviously got their blue tinted spectacles on in their verdicts, for really he was nothing more than a solid and adequate performer.
The hype over his first start went overboard on social media, and if anything it just goes to show the real issue in the first team that Marco Silva has been struggling with over the first eight games of the season – the quality in the midfield.
While Gueye is very much a ball winner over a playmaker, his partners Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies have not lived up to the expectations, and it was their lack of game controlling talent, rather than Gomes’ own quality, which shone through against Palace.
Yes, Gomes played his role in victory but it was not worth the vast amount of plaudits that the Everton fans are throwing his way, and it makes Silva’s struggle to find a top quality midfield duo clear as day.
The Portuguese international will no doubt grow into the game, but if he is blowing the socks off Goodison Park now, any improvement and they will think they have the next Andres Iniesta on their hands.