OPINION
Everton secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lincoln City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, but there was one player who failed to live up to anyone’s expectations.
That player is midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who failed to impress against a team who are three tiers below the Toffees – which is really quite the achievement.
That is not underestimating the effort that Lincoln put in on Saturday, but if you are playing for a club who are capable of finishing in the top-eight of the Premier League, you need to be doing a lot better.
The fans would no doubt not have held the 29-year-old in high regard following the match, and nor would have Everton boss Marco Silva.
The manager needs to take action as soon as possible, and axe the first teamer – who has 18 appearances to his name this season – for the next league game against Bournemouth on Sunday.
In his place should come the magnificent Andre Gomes, who has been a revelation in the midfield since he arrived in the summer.
Gueye is a player who is known for his polarising nature, especially this season – one week he is blasted for his display, one week fans are salivating over him.
This shows just how inconsistent he is as a player, as you cannot just progress through a season by blowing hot and cold all the time.
Silva must be growing ever-impatient with the exploits of the Senegal international, so enough is now enough.
He cannot be allowed to continue to cruise through the season playing well whenever it suits him, as there are other players who would love to have his place in the starting XI.
Gueye is compromising his place in the first team with such underwhelming performances, and now is the time for Silva to be ruthless and axe the player imminently.