“He was one of our key players” – Everton man discusses teammate’s departure, says qualities are ‘rare’

Having spent the last few years impressing everyone in England, Idrissa Gana Gueye is now doing it back in France.

The Senegal midfielder swapped Everton for Paris Saint Germain in the summer transfer window, having been previously denied a move back in January.

He’s made a flying start to life at the Parc des Princes, with PSG quickly falling in love with his energy and work rate, leading to his teammates regularly praising the summer signing.

While PSG love their new midfielder, Everton have been left looking longingly at what they once had.

Gueye has been sorely missed from the Blues midfield, with an injury to Jean-Philippe Gbamin, the man Everton signed to replace Gueye, only making his absence all the more obvious.

Former teammate Lucas Digne is under no illusion that Everton are missing their former midfielder, describing Gueye as one of the Blues’ most important squad members.

“He was one of our key players, the one who balanced the team,” he told Le Parisien.

“He provided the defensive base while being able to launch attacks when necessary.

His profile is different from most midfielders through his ability to recover while anticipating a lot of balls. He makes me think of N’Golo Kanté. His qualities are rare.”