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The 36-year-old midfielder has played a pivotal role over two tenures at the Toffees, but with his current terms set to expire at the end of June, the question is whether Idrissa Gana Gueye deserves a new deal.
During the Senegalese’s career, Gueye has racked up 236 appearances for the Blues whilst contributing 10 goals and 11 assists. With two separate periods at the club, a 3-year stint at PSG splitting them, the midfielder has cemented himself as a top-class operator.
But time waits for no man. So, does age come with wisdom, or simply tired legs and a lack of physical intensity?
Gueye has always been known by Evertonians to have an engine, having very strong interception abilities, something valuable in a defensive midfielder. Now, at 36 years of age, it is surely a matter of time before these elite characteristics naturally start to fade.
It’s something we started to see in 2025-26. In five of his first six seasons, Gueye ranked in the top three Premier League players for tackles won. Last season, he was 102nd, and eighth among the Everton squad. Limited minutes played their part in that total, but his 3.9 tackles per game average from 2024-25 dropped to 2.1 per 90 last season.
Gueye signed a 1-year contract last summer, with another year’s extension potentially on the table, but can existing Everton players step up to the plate?
Despite rumours doing the rounds that Tim Iroegunam may be heading for the exits, the 22-year-old has played significant minutes under Moyes’s management this season. Iroegbunam seems to be developing into a talent, and one to keep an eye on. He made more tackles (68 to 43) than Gueye in 615 fewer Premier League minutes.
The obligation to purchase Merlin Röhl after this campaign’s loan spell may create another option centrally too. A £17.3M fee is pending to Freiburg.
The Premier League is continuing to develop its trend of a decreasing average age within starting XIs. At the end of the day, the Premier League is renowned for being the most intense league in the world.
However, a trait younger players do not possess is experience, something Gueye will continue to provide if a new contract is agreed upon. As the intensity of the Premier League seems to increase, Gueye’s presence on the pitch may gradually decline, but his mentality and experience will never.
Gueye is heading towards the end of his career, and a fresh contract is expected to have reduced terms. The Senegalese international currently earns a reported £120k per week, easily positioning him in the top five earners within the Everton squad.
It appears the terms, rather than the player’s current ability, might be the determining factor in whether an agreement is reached.
Read more - Squad Cost Ratio and how it could impact Everton
Reader Comments (29)
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2 Posted 11/06/2026 at 14:20:24
3 Posted 11/06/2026 at 14:31:43
Why not??
4 Posted 11/06/2026 at 14:42:38
Top-level football has now become a squad game.
5 Posted 11/06/2026 at 14:53:51
His playing is on a downward spiral. His age is catching up to him, and we have other players that can fill his role.
He has been a very good player for Everton, but sentimental value is not worth the money we would pay him.
Also, him playing in the World Cup means he would not have a long, long vacation needed for a player his age.
6 Posted 11/06/2026 at 15:06:49
37-year-olds do not play centre-midfield in the Premier League.
7 Posted 11/06/2026 at 15:48:00
He's still got something to offer and there isn't another one in our squad that can do what he does as well as he does, but at some stage you need to move on.
8 Posted 11/06/2026 at 15:58:36
Any money on wages spent on a new contract, albeit just one year, could be spent on a replacement with a long term career.
Best of luck to him where he moves to, perhaps Saudi with a big pension pay day?
9 Posted 11/06/2026 at 16:35:10
He's been a great servant, but time to move on and bring in a younger replacement. Knowing Moyes, he probably wants to keep him, and play him in every game.
10 Posted 11/06/2026 at 17:07:52
You only have to see how the team descended in his absence at the end of the season to see what we are like without him.
Gueye is an excellent ball winner and defence shield and, until we have someone else who has settled in, he must stay. 37 or not, he is an important part of our team.
11 Posted 11/06/2026 at 17:19:35
Well, numbers show that Gana plays differently now, the question is: Is it good or bad? Can he play enough games next season to fulfill his wage?
Unfortunately, there's some truth in moving on, but time can only show what will happen.
Enjoy the World Cup, toffees.
12 Posted 11/06/2026 at 17:20:33
Play Dewsbury-Hall and Röhl in the ‘2' of the 4-2-3-1 alongside them and focus on signing match-winning players in the wide positions.
13 Posted 11/06/2026 at 18:32:13
As an attacker I am even against bringing Jack back but he showed he still has enough to help the mediocre defence we currently have so I would give him one more season.
14 Posted 11/06/2026 at 18:50:28
We also need to sell Iroebungan, who is not good enough and never will be good enough for a team with aspirations of the Top 6. I've never seen an Everton player give the ball away as much as Iroebnugan. Moyes also doesn't truest Alcaraz so he can also go too.
Bring in Hackney and Morten Jjulmand, if we can get the latter.
15 Posted 11/06/2026 at 19:01:11
16 Posted 11/06/2026 at 19:03:05
He's probably on a big wage tho, so wouldn't be too worried if Hackney came and gana, tim & Alcaraz left.
Rohl & Armstrong shown they have the ability to overtake what gana now offers.
17 Posted 11/06/2026 at 19:39:34
Seems to me he can still do a decent job and so could be fine for the squad. I don’t know what he might do off the pitch that could be useful (yes, I know he’s been controversial at times) but he might help retain / recruit players.
There aren’t many, but there are a few who can play well enough beyond 36 and he could be one.
18 Posted 11/06/2026 at 19:41:37
A reluctant release. The £6m on wages is needed elsewhere.
19 Posted 11/06/2026 at 22:25:50
20 Posted 11/06/2026 at 22:27:04
As an attacker I am even against bringing Jack back but he showed he still has enough to help the mediocre defence we currently have so I would give him one more season.
21 Posted 12/06/2026 at 04:14:10
Plus Moyes loves players over 30 years old.
If they can reach a compromise on salary, then one additional year is OK by me.
He probably would have headed to Saudi Arabia for a final payday if the region was stable.
22 Posted 12/06/2026 at 04:14:10
Plus Moyes loves players over 30 years old.
If they can reach a compromise on salary, then one additional year is OK by me.
He probably would have headed to Saudi Arabia for a final payday if the region was stable.
23 Posted 12/06/2026 at 05:47:10
Liam(#15); that really made me laugh.
24 Posted 12/06/2026 at 07:13:21
>1 year - no.
25 Posted 12/06/2026 at 10:24:10
He will always be welcome back... unlike many traitors and inpersonators... Barry top of that tree for me!
26 Posted 12/06/2026 at 11:14:45
27 Posted 12/06/2026 at 11:16:37
1. People 'age' at different rates, and in Gana's case, he is an exceptionally fit athlete, and there are plenty of examples of players in their late 30s who still played at a very high level - James Milner, Ashley Young, etc. Having said that, Gueye's game is an 'all-energy' rushing game rather than being a more tactical player who knows how to conserve energy and take up good positions instead of chasing after the ball.
2. An exceptional player past his prime would still be better than most younger players.
On balance, I would say keep him for 1 more year as a senior pro with a specific role - that of closing out a game when the opposition players are tired and as a squad filler when injuries/suspensions hit the squad.
28 Posted 12/06/2026 at 11:17:13
29 Posted 13/06/2026 at 16:58:54
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1 Posted 11/06/2026 at 14:10:59
Yes he is experienced, but letting him play pushes a player who needs experience to the bench. Thanks Idrissa you’ve been a revelation 💙