Everton analysis - Andre Gomes sends wrong message as Neal Maupay taught a lesson
Gomes fails to send right message
Not since the famous 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace has Andre Gomes played in a competitive game for Everton.
His last inclusion in a Blues matchday squad came against Leeds United last August. Just days later, he joined LOSC Lille on loan for the rest of the season.
The Portugal international started 18 times in the French top-flight across the campaign, with his team finishing fifth and securing a Europa Conference League play-off round spot. To say he impressed in France would be an understatement.
Gomes’ performances were so good that Lille boss Paulo Fonseca is keen to bring the midfielder back to the Stade Pierre Mauroy this summer. As previously reported by the ECHO, the French club are keen on either a permanent or loan deal.
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However, despite the continued speculation, Gomes remains an Everton player, and he made his first appearance for Sean Dyche against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night. If Blues supporters were hoping to see the Andre Gomes who impressed in Ligue 1 last season, then they headed home disappointed.
Instead, the midfielder’s display was more similar to the one he produced against Palace over a year ago, which saw him brought off at half time. The same happened here, but one suspects that was always the plan.
Quite simply, Gomes could not get into the game. On a number of occasions, he was caught in possession in both halves and looked a tad off the pace as the play opened up. This was far from the message the midfielder would have wanted to send to Sean Dyche.
Dobbin shows Maupay how it is
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