Unsung hero for Everton: Idrissa Gueye
Star striker Romelu Lukaku and his 25 Premier League goals gained the majority of the plaudits as Everton finished seventh last term.
And the Belgian looks set to continue grabbing headlines this summer with his potential departure from Goodison Park.
But there’s another Toffee who flew under the radar, yet was just as instrumental to the club’s success – Idrissa Gueye.
As a man who came to England on the same flight as N’Golo Kante back in the summer of 2015, it is fitting that the Senegalese star is starting to resemble the reigning PFA Footballer of the Year with each passing match.
Two years ago, Gueye was on his way to Aston Villa from Lille as Kante headed to Leicester City from Caen when they serendipitously met at a Parisian airport.
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The former suffered relegation before heading for Everton 12 months on, while the latter won the most unlikely of Premier League titles, earned a £32million move to Chelsea and repeated the feat.
And Gueye admits he has used his fellow midfield warrior’s achievements as inspiration since that day 24 months ago.
“We met up at the airport and it was quite by chance because he was going to Leicester and I was going to Villa, so we both flew to Birmingham,” explained Gueye.
“We got chatting and he’s a really nice guy, a good guy who is easy to get on with.
“We were talking about our new clubs and where we were going to live. Just day-to-day stuff.
“He has done very well, first with Leicester and now with Chelsea, and he has shown us all what can be achieved in the Premier League.”
Kante is renowned for his ball-winning ability but Gueye made 135 tackles, eight more than the Frenchman and the most in the Premier League last season.
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
The 27-year-old’s 81 interceptions were also eighth-most in the league, while his 1,885 passes were good for 19th.
The fact he also made more blocks and was successful in a greater percentage of aerial duels than the much-heralded Kante proves just how impressive the Everton powerhouse is.
So while his Chelsea counterpart, not to mention his sharpshooting teammate Lukaku, might generate more coverage, the Toffees appreciate just how sticky Gueye makes life for the opposition.
