If there is one transfer which sums up Everton’s disastrous transfers over the last decade or so, it is Jean Philippe Gbamin.
But it appears things may be about to turn for the better for him, at least if his latest comments to Ouest France are anything to go by.
The newspaper cover the midfielder today after he joined FC Nantes on a free transfer at the end of August.
He has joined the Ligue 1 side from USL Dunkerque, where he moved to try and revive his career after leaving Everton on a free transfer in September 2023.
His time at Goodison Park was an unmitigated disaster, wit him managing eight appearances after arriving from Mainz in a €25m deal in August 2019.
He was plagued by injuries in the years since, with a hamstring injury, inner ligament injury, toe injury, foot injury, knee problems and various other fitness problems having limited his appearances.
He’s now hoping to bounce back and insists he’s happy to be back in France and simply enjoying playing football.
“I have found pleasure in playing football again. I still have everything to prove and show that I still have the legs,” he said.
And it seems he is being backed to shine again soon, with manager Antoine Kombouaré certainly ready to give him his chance.
“He can bring power and commitment,” he added.
“The duels are also offensive, and he has the ability to carry the ball high with the ball at his feet, to make a difference.
“I know him by heart and yet, I am rediscovering him. He has had a journey strewn with pitfalls. He is still young, but it remains a gamble. I challenge him to continue, to return to the top level. Between us, it is transparent.”
The question is whether Gbamin can bounce back from those injury issues that have plagued him since that disastrous Everton spell.
Nantes are taking things carefully, with the player ‘gaining momentum’ with the reserves for now until he’s ready to step up to the first team. He knows he’s been given a “chance”, though, and with Kombouaré, is ready to take it.
