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Everton: David Prentice airs criticism of Andre Gomes

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Image for Everton: David Prentice airs criticism of Andre Gomes

The Liverpool Echo’s head of sport David Prentice has recently aired some criticism of Everton’s Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes.

During the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures, the Toffees host Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday night (per Premier League).

Going into the game with the Foxes, it would seem that Carlo Ancelotti has a selection dilemma in midfield with Allan still out of action and Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

That leaves Everton’s Italian manager with Gomes, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph, Beni Baningime, James Rodriguez and Gylfi Sigurdsson as options to choose from through the middle of the pitch (per Transfermarkt).

In the latest episode of the Liverpool Echo’s Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast, Prentice discussed the midfield and aired some criticism of Gomes.

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To kick off this quiz on Seamus Coleman, what squad number does the right-back currently wear for the Toffees?

When discussing if a player from another position should drop into midfield, he said: “I don’t like square pegs in round holes. I’d like to see players who play a particular position continuing with that.

“Having said that, I totally get why Gomes would concern you.

“I mean, even [against Sheffield Wednesday], there were a couple of moments where he looked a little bit reckless in his challenges around the penalty box.

“You just always think there’s a dangerous free-kick or a penalty likely to come from some of his challenges.

“Having said that, how well did he create that opening goal? [It was] a wonderful bit of skill and a great cross.”

TIF Thoughts on what David Prentice said about Andre Gomes…

As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, he believes that the £18m-rated middleman can be “reckless” defensively, which is a “concern”, however, he is capable of “wonderful” skill.

Do you agree that Andre Gomes can be 'reckless' at times?

No, he's not that bad

No, he's not that bad

Yes, he needs to improve

Yes, he needs to improve

Certainly, it is clear to see in the midfielder’s statistics that he can be somewhat of a liability in defence as he has given the second-most fouls away per league game in the squad (1.6) (per WhoScored).

Despite making so many fouls, he has only managed to make the 11th-most tackles (1.2) and the joint-19th-most interceptions with Jordan Pickford (0.1) per outing.

So, those figures make it abundantly clear why the 27-year-old midfielder would be a “concern” regarding his defensive duties in midfield despite clearly showing glimpses of quality, as Prentice notes.

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