Everton losing Senegalese central midfielder Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye to big-spending French giants PSG in the summer was inevitable. The Ligue One champions saw bids rejected for the star in the January transfer window and the interest never disappeared.
During his time on Merseyside, he became a crucial player for the Toffees. Marco Silva’s side’s recent poor defensive displays are no doubt in no small part down to the absence of the former Villa star.
He deserved a move to a team playing Champions League football. Last night he showed why PSG bought him in the summer, as he played a pivotal role in the Parisians recording a 3-0 win over Spanish giants Real Madrid in Europe’s elite competition.
Understated but not out of place
While former Manchester United star Angel Di Maria will get the headlines for his brace, Gueye produced an understated performance in the centre of midfield. Playing in what looked like a more advanced role than we were accustomed to seeing him at Everton, he created a goal and used the ball well. He also produced the more familiar harrying and nicking of the ball
Considering the calibre of player he was up against Gueye did not look out of place and thrived in a massive European game.
Good luck to the lad
Idrissa Gueye always came across as a really nice guy during his time on Merseyside. Everton fans how him in high esteem. The biggest reason is that when the Toffees rejected PSG’s January bid, instead of sulking, Gueye produced arguably the best form of his Everton career.
Some cynics might suggest that the 29-year-old upped his game due to secure a move to Paris in the summer transfer window. He may have done subconsciously, but Senegalese star’s form for much of his Toffees career was solid.
Gueye was always an unsung hero in the centre of the Everton midfield. He was more than just a midfield destroyer, although there were some perceived weaknesses in the midfielder’s game.
If many Evertonian’s were watching last night’s game then they will no doubt have not begrudged Gueye the chance to play at the highest level of the club game. There is not a much bigger game than facing 13-time European champions Real Madrid.
His display will be met by both pride and regret by everybody associated with the Blues. The pride that he is at such a high level and regret that as a club the Toffees could not offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
PSG looking to win the Champions League
The PSG Qatari owners have made no secret of their wish to win the Champions League. It was always their primary goal. The club’s owners have ploughed in huge investment in the team since their arrival.
The money spent has inevitable led to PSG dominating a relatively weak Ligue One. However, the club from the French capital has failed to make it past the last 16 after previously managing to get to four straight quarter-finals.
They are no doubt desperate to win the Champions League. Wednesday night’s performance suggests that if the current team plays to their highest level, then they can give any team a challenge. Admittedly, Real Madrid played poorly, but PSG still had to put them to the sword.
Idrissa Gueye and his teammates are now odds of 8/1 to lift the Champions League trophy this season. If the Senegalese star can continue in a similar vein to last night, then he could prove to be a very shrewd addition for the reigning French champions.
Will Idrissa Gueye taste European glory at PSG?
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