Dyche must sit his ‘wasteful’ £80k-per-week flop against Everton at Goodison
Yesterday’s performance by the Toffees was dismal yet again, and one player disappointed once more.
Sean Dyche is baffled as to how to motivate his squad after Everton failed to secure their first Premier League victory on Sunday.
Given the upheaval he inherited, the former Burnley manager has had a difficult time managing at Goodison Park. He even acknowledged this before the game, saying, “Last season was by far the hardest of my football life.”
That perception, however, may alter as they face another relegation dogfight considering that they have lost all five of their league games and have only managed to draw one point against a weak Sheffield United team.
If the 52-year-old manager is to pull off another miracle to ensure their survival, he will have to make some difficult choices, and following Sunday’s lackluster loss to Arsenal at home, he has much to think about.
Idrissa Gueye stood out in that match for all the wrong reasons, as he continued to be habitually wasteful in possession but appeared to have lost the relentlessness and work ethic that define his importance to a team.
Why did
Gueye won 50% of the duels he entered, according to Sofascore, even if two interceptions are now considered to be a standard for him. Gueye was dribbled past once. Evidently, Declan Rice, Arsenal’s new high-profile acquisition, bullied him.
Former author Ell Bretland made the uncomfortable suggestion that perhaps after that performance, his time in the starting side is up:
I genuinely adore Idrissa Gana Gueye. He has been outstanding for Everton, a masterful tackler, a huge influence, and an expert in his field. But we simply cannot allow him to be that careless with the ball. He constantly misplaces things. I think it’s having a negative impact.
It may be time for Dyche to go elsewhere in an effort to not only rekindle a team lacking in enthusiasm but also infuse some much-needed creativity. The former PSG star was outfought in the middle of the field.
Who ought to succeed Idrissa Gueye?
After all, Everton has tremendous depth in their center midfield, and James Garner was probably ripping out his hair from having to watch that performance from the sideline.
Before last week, the Manchester United academy graduate had started each of their previous league games, but with Dwight McNeil’s return, he was benched since there was no room for him in the preferred midfield position.
It is important to note, though, that according to Sofascore, 22-year-old Garner has maintained a 7.00 average rating from right midfield, helped by his 80% pass accuracy, one crucial pass, 1.6 tackles, and 3.8 ball recoveries per game.
