Why Everton should target Nampalys Mendy to replace Gueye in the summer
According to a report from BBC, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day but the club rejected a bid for the player.
Idrissa Gueye, 29, looked keen for a move to PSG but Everton’s decision to keep hold of him gives us an idea about his importance to Marco Silva’s side. The Senegalese joined the Toffees in 2016 from Aston Villa and has been a regular fixture in the team.
Renowned for his tenacious nature and ball-winning ability, Gueye may not be in the best of forms this season but his importance to Everton cannot be ignored. Without his presence, the Toffees lack bite and energy in the middle of the park and often look vulnerable.
And while Everton have managed to retain the services of Gueye now, it would be difficult for them to stop the Senegal international from leaving in the summer should an offer from a big club come in.
That said, Silva needs to start planning for the future from now on and chalk out potential replacements for Gueye. Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy is the type of player Silva needs to keep tabs on.
Nampalys Mendy, 26, has been a regular fixture for Leicester this season under Claude Puel. He has been dishing out consistent performances in the midfield and had one of his best games in Leicester colours at Anfield in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday.
The diminutive Frenchman was excellent alongside Wilfried Ndidi at the heart of the Foxes midfield. The duo showed great energy and intensity, time and again broke up the Liverpool attacks and protected the back-four with utmost ease. It was a testament to Mendy’s qualities and what can he do on his best days.
Nampalys Mendy is a cultured defensive midfielder who is known for his ball-winning traits, good distribution and game-reading skills. He is quick and an accomplished dribbler of the ball but tends to keep things simple.
The Frenchman would come very close to replacing Gueye should the Senegalese leave Goodison Park in the summer.
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Everton will undoubtedly benefit from signing Nampalys Mendy in the summer as he would be a valuable asset for the team which could help them push for a top-6 spot in the coming years. Moreover, Morgan Schneiderlin has failed to get going in an Everton shirt this season, which is why Marco Silva should do everything in his power to lure Mendy to Merseyside in summer.