Idrissa Gueye
The position of the defensive midfielder is not necessarily a new phenomenon but its importance has increased in recent years. The best teams in the world have all had a player that does the dirty work in midfield as well as providing the link between defense and attack.
Roy Keane and Patrick Viera are two recent classic examples of great players to play this position while N’Golo Kante has dominated headlines for his defensive midfield performances with Leicester and Chelsea. The focus on the likes of Kante or Manchester United’s Ander Herrera has detracted attention from Everton’s Idrissa Gueye.
The Senegal international had a fairly successful season with Aston Villa last year but his quality was too much for the Championship and Everton acquired his services for the measly sum of £7.2 million. Gueye has slotted into the Everton team and provided the perfect defensive barrier for a team that were defensively suspect last season.
Were it not for a rocky couple of months before Christmas, Everton could have been in with a shout for fourth place. The Toffees have only lost twice since the turn of the year and have looked formidable at times. The goals of Romelu Lukaku have played a huge part in this but it’s Gueye’s defensive work that has given the attackers more freedom.
Statistically he is one of the best players in the Premier League when it comes to interceptions and tackles made. Ronald Koeman will be desperate to keep hold of Gueye next season.