Sean Dyche told to drop Idrissa Gueye in new Everton message

Michael Ball has called for Sean Dyche to drop Idrissa Gueye in favour of James Garner playing centrally, despite the former having started every game so far this season for Everton.

Ball claims Gueye should be benched and only brought on if they are trying to defend a lead as, when he starts, he simply makes too many mistakes, can’t shoot, and doesn’t pass forward.

Garner, meanwhile, has been the main bright spark of a poor start to the season for the Toffees, with his performances from a new position on the right-hand side of midfield providing a display of what he can offer.

Writing via his column in the Liverpool Echo on 3 October, Ball shared: “I think James Garner should be playing in central midfield because that’s his position.

“He’s the in-form player and a midfielder who likes to try and find a pass going forward and never hides. He’s got an all-round game and likes to press and force an error from an opponent.

“We give the ball away so easily and so cheaply at times so Garner is the type of midfielder you need. The others might try and do something straight away and hit the ball out of play but he’s got the ability to look after it.

“Abdoulaye Doucoure has got his goals but what has Idrissa Gueye brought to the table? He can tackle but he’s making mistakes, he’s not passing forward, he can’t shoot.

“I’d drop him and then if you do go ahead then you can bring him on to help defend that lead. I think it will be something that Sean Dyche will be thinking about because he obviously wants to play Garner because he likes him and he’s putting him in the starting line-up when he’s got wingers on the bench.”

Garner has to play centrally

As well as he has done in his new wide position, it’s now become imperative that Dyche gives him his opportunity to play in the middle of the park, in the role he favours. With Jack Harrison’s return to fitness, he no longer needs a makeshift winger.

The availability of both Harrison and Dwight McNeil gives the Everton boss the option to play actual out-and-out wingers in those positions, which would facilitate Garner’s move into the middle alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana.

He did get his chance there in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa and proved his worth by scoring the opening goal as his side went on to win 2-1 and make unlikely progress. He was moved back wide against Luton, though, raising questions as to why.

Simply, playing the best and most in-form players in their best positions is the best way to get results and performances out of them. It would certainly do no harm.