Everton

Everton: Journalist airs the Toffees’ ‘major weakness’

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The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland has aired what he believes to be the ‘major weakness’ in Everton’s current first-team squad.

The area of the pitch which the reporter believed to be this ‘major weakness’ was in the centre of midfield and he stated his belief that it has been a problem since Idrissa Gana Gueye left.

The Senegalese midfielder left the club last summer for Paris Saint-Germain after he bagged four goals and five assists in 108 appearances for the Toffees.

During the latest episode of The Athletic’s Gwlad Tidings podcast, Boyland expanded on his thoughts regarding the midfielders at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal.

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To start this quiz on Richarlison with an easy one, how much did the Toffees pay to secure the Brazilian's services including potential future fees?

He said: “It feels like we make the same points just about every week, or we could make the same points just about every week when it comes to the Everton midfield. I think, certainly since Idrissa Gueye left, it’s been the major weakness.

“If you look at the compartments of the pitch at Everton, it’s been the major weakness. They’ve really missed Gana’s ability to make those tackles, make those interceptions, help Everton get up the pitch.

“Obviously, they have been unlucky with injuries – [Jean-Philippe] Gbamin and Andre Gomes.

“My main issue is that I look at this team, and I look at the midfield in particular, and I just think too many of that midfield don’t look comfortable in the roles that they’re being asked to play.”

TIF Thoughts…

As can be seen in what Boyland had to say, he believes the Toffees’ “major weakness” is their midfielder and that is perhaps due to a case of there being square pegs in round holes.

Have Everton failed to adequately replace Idrissa Gana Gueye?

Yes, we've not managed to

Yes, we've not managed to

No, that's not the problem

No, that's not the problem

It would be understandable why the sale of Gueye would negatively impact the Toffees due to the fact they lost a player who scored an average rating of 7.14/10 in his final Premier League season (per WhoScored).

Couple the sale of Gueye with the long-term injuries of Gbamin and Gomes earlier this season and it is clear to see why the midfield has been a problem.

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