Jamie Redknapp compared Idrissa Gueye to Everton legend Peter Reid as he gushed over his contribution in Sunday’s goalless draw against Chelsea.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Redknapp explained why the midfield anchorman has emerged as a crucial player in Marco Silva’s side and hailed him as the best player in his position outside of the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
“Idrissa Gana Gueye is the best defensive midfielder outside the top six,” Redknapp told the Mail. “He doesn’t just sit in front of the back four. He’s got great energy, wins tackles and looks to pass forward when he can.
“He is the unsung hero in Marco Silva’s team and Everton fans will be hoping they’ve got another Peter Reid on their hands.”
OPINION
High praise indeed from Redknapp in comparing Gueye to Reid, one of the emblems of the Everton 1980s world-beating side that made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice of their excellence. Steve Walsh’s two-year spell as director of football will be remembered for gross over-spending and more misses than hits in the transfer market, but one of his shrewdest buys was persuading the Toffees hierarchy to shell out £8million for Gueye following Aston Villa’s relegation. The former Lille player is a grass-covering ball of energy in the middle of the pitch, making tackles, nicking the ball, launching attacks and making life difficult for opponents. He did all of that in Sunday’s draw at Chelsea and, had the likes of Theo Walcott and Bernard demonstrated the necessary composure in the final third, Everton would have returned to Merseyside with a famous win under their belts. That was the least the excellent Gueye deserved.