Everton supporters in the Transfer Tavern were left to unpick another defeat for their side after seeing the Toffees lose 2-1 away at Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, in what was the first game of the post-Ronald Koeman era.
The Dutchman was sacked by the Toffees hierarchy on Monday after overseeing just two wins from their opening nine Premier League matches, with the final straw turning out to be a 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday. However, caretaker boss David Unsworth appeared to get a response out of the players at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and although goals from Antonio Rudiger and Willian secured the Blues’ place in the quarter-finals, the Merseyside club were much-improved and could well have got a result on the night.
Thus, several of our resident Evertonians were reasonably heartened by their display but ultimately it was another loss for their club to continue their miserable start to the season, yet it looks like they may finally get some respite as a recent tweet from Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones suggests that midfielder Idrissa Gueye is close to penning a new deal at Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye’s new 5-year deal at Everton has been agreed for a while but should be announced today
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) October 27, 2017
The 28-year-old made the move to the North West back in 2016 following Aston Villa’s relegation to the Championship, and he immediately commanded a regular place in Koeman’s starting eleven with a string of impressive performances.
The Senegal international appeared 33 times in the Premier League last season to help Everton to a seventh place finish, and although he hasn’t quite hit the heights so far this term, nine league starts suggests that he is still a vital part of the squad at Goodison Park.
And he looks set to be rewarded with a new five-year deal with the Toffees, which is sure to be a huge boost and provide some respite for our suffering Evertonians in the Tavern.
Landlord’s verdict: Idrissa Gueye was outstanding for Aston Villa in their relegation campaign in 2015/16, and deservedly earned a move to Everton to remain in the Premier League.
And the 28-year-old didn’t let up with several impressive displays in Ronald Koeman’s midfield last season, and although he hasn’t quite lived up to those high standards this time round, it’s surely only a matter of time before he does.
And his imminent new deal at Goodison Park may well give him and indeed the rest of the club a timely boost in what has been a tricky few weeks at Everton, yet he has served his suspension following his red card against Arsenal, and thus he’ll be available for their crucial trip to Leicester City on Sunday.
Only time will tell how big a boost that is for David Unsworth and his side.
Everton fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know!
