As first season at a new club go, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s will not remember his at Everton fondly. For both, 2017/18 campaign can be considered a write off.
The issues started in the summer transfer window. A protracted transfer from Swansea left Sigurdsson in limbo. By the time the two clubs finalised the deal, Sigurdsson needed to play catch up in more ways than one.
It showed in his early performances. A lack of fitness was evident; never mind a lack of acclimation to his new surroundings or the newfound attention and expectation a £50 million price tag brings. The problems at Goodison Park only helped to exacerbate the issues. As Everton struggled under Ronald Koeman, so did Sigurdsson. Forced into a left wing role to make space for Wayne Rooney, the Iceland midfielder became a shadow of his former self. It became clear that playing him as a left-winger or in the same starting eleven with the former Manchester United captain were not viable options.
The players in the squad were not the only issue, though. The ones who were missing had a negative effect too. Despite spending in the summer, Everton’s transfer window left the squad lacking. With no replacement for Romelu Lukaku and no pace on either wing, Sigurdsson was a star creator hamstrung by a lack of options around him. In a slow team, his best attributes were being wasted.
Koeman’s sacking and Sam Allardyce’s appointment only exacerbated the issue. Amid the veteran’s refusal to attack, Sigurdsson became further stifled.
By the end the campaign he managed four goals and three assists in the Premier League, his worst total in three years and the second worst of his seven years playing in England’s top flight. The £50 million Everton paid for him looked poorly spent.
He headed to the World Cup with Iceland not only disappointed but keen to prove a point this season. Fortunately, it appears the opportunity will be there for him to do so. The changes at Everton this summer provide him with the opportunity to prove his detractors wrong.
The biggest change is the mentality of the man on the touchline. Marco Silva could not be any further from his predecessor. The defensive football from last season has already been tossed aside for attacking football.
There is also pace in abundance in this side. With Theo Walcott on one wing and Richarlison the other, Everton’s wide options are dangerous. Couple that with striker Cenk Tosun and their forward line now looks a potent one.
Richarlison and Walcott are willing runners in behind, ideal for a player with Sigurdsson’s passing ability. In the striker role, Tosun provides a willing and capable link up option.
Where last season there were no options, now there several around him. His performance in the 2-1 win over Southampton last weekend made for positive viewing, raising hopes that this year could be a vast improvement on his first.
Playing in his preferred number ten role, Sigurdsson looked back to his best. Controlling possession, dictating the play and creating at will the Saints struggled to control him. Midfield pair Oriel Romeu and Mario Lemina, as well as several other teammates, were forced to rely on fouling him in an attempt to do so.
Their efforts were in vain. In a positive performance from his team, Sigurdsson shone. He finished the game with 11km covered and six key passes completed. It was the joint-most chances created in the Premier League last weekend, tied with David Silva.
Those watching, including his manager, could not hide how impressed they were. “He is fantastic,” Marco Silva said after the game.
“He is really enjoying what he is doing. With the ball, he has high quality and he works without it too. When he finds space, he can do something important for us. I really like what he did in the game against Southampton.”
The challenge now is for Sigurdsson to hit those highs on a consistent basis. In a new look Everton side playing under an attacking manager, there is no reason he cannot do just that. This year could be the one in which his inflated price tag starts to look like money well spent.
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