Sean Dyche must resist urge to start Idrissa Gueye v Liverpool after Everton news emerges this week
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye may be in contention for a recall to Sean Dyche’s first eleven for Saturday’s clash against Liverpool but the Toffees boss must resist that temptation as it could prove costly.
The Senegalese international has been Dyche’s preferred option in the middle of the park so far this season, featuring in seven of their opening eight games of the season before his injury ruled him out of the Bournemouth game.
The 34-year-old made the bench for Senegal on 16 October as they faced off against Cameroon in a friendly which his side won 1-0 and came on for Nampalys Mendy in the 78th minute.
Such an appearance may have certainly pointed to the idea that he indeed may be ready to face off against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, coming as a welcome boost to Dyche and Everton.
Liverpool Echo reported on 17 October that his Senegal comeback now puts him in contention for a recall in the Everton engine room against the Reds.
There are some positives to Gueye’s return for Dyche.
His defensive nous has been proven this season, winning an average of 4.4 ground duels per game, while he is dribbled past just 0.6 times and makes 2.3 tackles, solidifying the midfield [Sofascore].
However, Everton will need more than that at Anfield, a player possessing the street-smart edge of when to be aggressive and when to be measured on and off the ball. Unfortunately, Gueye isn’t that man.
Gueye’s lack of confidence and composure in possession has started to become a concern, leading to his side frequently losing the ball and inviting pressure from the opposition as he made an average of just 35.1 accurate passes per game so far this season.
In fact, his underlying possession starts are quite disastrous, ranking in the 57th percentile of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the bottom 32 percentile of midfielders for passes attempted, bottom 23rd percentile for progressive passes and in the bottom 40th percentile for touches in the middle third [FBRef] showing his lack of class and influence on the ball.
Against a Liverpool team that likes to press relentlessly under Jurgen Klopp, deploying Gueye so soon after his injury return may seem like a very needless and costly decision.
Amadou Onana and James Garner have proven worthy midfield partners due to their sound press-resistance and quality on the ball and it’s important Dyche sticks to that formula that beat Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.
Starting the Senegalese international could actually play into the German’s hands and it is imperative the former Burnley boss gives his side the best chance of getting a result, no matter how difficult it may be.
The likelier scenario will be to then bring Gueye off the bench around the hour mark if Dyche feels he’s capable of doing what he wants at that point.
The manager has shown a lot of faith in the Senegal international and may look to get him in as soon as he possibly can but Dyche should not try and fix a winning formula, in such a crucial fixture.
