Everton opinion: Should the Toffees replace Gueye with Thiago Mendes?

According to the Daily Star, Everton have shortlisted Lille midfielder, Thiago Mendes as a potential replacement for Idrissa Gana Gueye, who has been monitored closely by Paris Saint Germain, with a view to a potential move in the summer.

The Daily Star also understands that Chelsea are set to battle it out with the Toffees for the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder at the end of the season.

Idrissa Gueye, who has been an ever-present for Marco Silva’s side in the midfield this season, was heavily linked with a move to PSG back in January and the French giants are likely to revisit their interest once again in the summer. (h/t Sky Sports)

If Idrissa Gueye does, indeed, head for the exit door at Goodison Park in search of greener pastures, Everton would need to bring in a like-for-like replacement to cover for the departure of the highly-impressive Senegalese international.

The 29-year-old has started 31 games for the Toffees in the Premier League this season and has done an excellent job in holding things together at the heart of the midfield with his strength, tenacity, tireless running, good range of passing and ball-winning abilities.

Although the likes of Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson have stolen much of the limelight with their impressive tally of goals and assists, Gueye’s dogged and adamant displays in central midfield have been equally crucial to the team’s success.

As things stand, Gueye’s departure would leave Everton with a tough rebuilding job on their hands.

It is still not clear whether the Toffees will be able to sign Barcelona loanee Andre Gomes permanently at the end of the season, and although they have the exuberance of Tom Davies in their ranks, they would need to shell out a hefty fee in the transfer window to land an ideal replacement for the Senegalese international.

Morgan Schneiderlin has looked like a shadow of his former self, while James McCarthy is another viable option but it remains to be seen how he copes with the pressure of first-team football, following a long injury absence.

To put things into perspective, Everton need to bring in another top-quality midfield enforcer like Thiago Mendes as a replacement for Gana Gueye in the summer if they are really serious about making it to the Europa League.

The 27-year-old Brazilian has been one of the key driving forces behind Lille’s march to second in the Ligue 1 standings this season, contributing with 4 assists from 32 appearances in the league.

Along with Nicolas Pepe, Mendes has been one of the architects of Lille’s impressive season in the top-flight, as they prepare for Champions League football next season.

Mendes, who rose to prominence with Brazilian clubs Goias and Sao Paulo, made his move to Lille in 2017 and has made a total of 69 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit in all competitions, amassing 4 goals and 7 assists.

He boasts of similar attributes as Gana Gueye- strong on the tackle, tenacious, hardworking, calm and composed in possession, and Everton would have every reason to look at him as an ideal replacement for the Senegalese.

The Brazilian covers every blade of grass on the pitch and always tries to put his team on the front foot with his aggressive style of play, often winning the ball back and breaking up the play with crucial tackles and interceptions.

He is not only a natural ball-winner but he is a ball-carrier as well, meaning that he is someone who acts as the link between the midfield and the forward line.

Mendes boasts of a pass accuracy percentage of 84.3, including 2.4 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, 1.8 key passes, 1.5 crosses and 3.2 successful long balls per game in the Ligue 1 this term, figures which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a holding or box-to-box midfielder.

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Conclusion

The Brazilian might prove to be an upgrade on Idrissa Gueye in the longer run, owing to his creativity and contribution to the attack. Also, he is a couple of years younger than the Senegalese, which should make him a good long-term investment for the Toffees.