View: Dyche will be buzzing with Everton midfielder after 100% display on int'l duty

Idrissa Gana Gueye has started all three Premier League matches for Everton so far this season.

The midfielder is a key part of Sean Dyche’s starting XI, though injuries meant he could only make 25 league appearances last term, coming back at the perfect time to secure the Toffees’ safety in the division.

Now, teamed up with Tim Iroegbunam following his move from Aston Villa, the duo have formed a decent partnership in the middle of the park, which could be important as the season continues.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Merseyside club’s start to the 2024/25 campaign has been woeful, with Dyche’s tenure coming under heavy pressure because of it.

While few expect the Toffees to get a positive result against Aston Villa on Saturday 14 September, the team need to put points on the board as soon as possible, so Dyche will be happy to see his midfielder in fine form ahead of the clash.

Everton ace Idrissa Gana Gueye impresses on international duty

Playing 82 minutes of football, being replaced by Lens’ Nampalys Mendy, Gana Gueye helped Senegal to claim a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

The 34-year-old left the field having maintained a 91 per cent pass completion, with four passes into the final third, creating two chances, accurately delivering 100 per cent of his crosses and completing 100 per cent of his attempted long balls [FotMob].

Defensively, he won 80 per cent of his tackles (4/5), also entering into 12 ground duels against Burkina Faso, but Dyche will depend on him to win much more than 42 per cent against Unai Emery’s midfield.

The side will be very familiar with their opponents at Villa Park, with former Evertonian Amadou Onana dazzling in the opening few matches of the new campaign.

The Belgian ranks in the top 92 percentile for tackles and the top 93 percentile for aerial battles won, as per FBref, so Gana Gueye will have to be at the top of his game ahead of facing the Villans after the international break.

And the signs will he is away on international duty are certainly positive.

In other Everton news, Andros Townsend shared his worry about the Toffees live on ITV during Republic of Ireland v England.

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