Idrissa Gueye to Everton: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Everton have completed the signing of Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

The club announced that the transfer had been finalised, with the midfielder signing a four-year deal at Goodison Park. 

According to Peter O’Rourke of ESPN FC, the Toffees will pay £7.1 million for the Senegal international, having activated a release clause in his contract.

The 26-year-old was part of the Aston Villa side that was relegated last term. However, Gueye was one of a few positives at Villa Park in 2015-16.

Signed from Lille in the summer of 2015, the midfielder was tasked with nullifying opponents at the base of midfield with his defensive instincts and unrelenting energy. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe feels he did exactly that, despite the struggles endured by the Midlands club:

Indeed, there were times when Gueye did seem to be fighting a lone battle to stem attacks, as Villa lacked cohesion in midfield and organisation at the back. But he’s a player who relishes defensive work.

The Senegalese reads the game well, enjoys tackles and is more than happy to engage in physical battles with opponents. They’re qualities that Everton lack, with an excellent but ageing Gareth Barry and a struggling James McCarthy regularly paired in the midfield under former manager Roberto Martinez.

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New boss Ronald Koeman is a coach who has always valued a burly enforcer in the centre of the park. As these numbers from WhoScored.com show, Gueye is someone who will be able to provide that type of influence:

There are areas in which Gueye will need to improve on Merseyside, most notably in his distribution and decision-making when on the ball in advanced areas. Indeed, too often last term he’d burst forward into strong positions for Villa before firing the ball over the bar from distance or picking the wrong pass on the counter.

Nevertheless, for £7.1 million, this looks to be a savvy capture for the Toffees and a player who aligns well with the Koeman blueprint. Having stood out in a poor side last season, there will be an onus on Gueye to show he can cut it in a stronger squad and under a manager that places high demands on his central-midfield men.