The midfielder’s contract is up at the end of the season and has made it clear he is keen to stay at the club
Idrissa Gueye is the latest Everton player to go public in his desire to stay at Everton. The battling midfielder is one of more than a dozen senior players out of contract in the summer.
But the 35-year-old is hopeful of extending his stay at the club and being part of the squad that heads into the new stadium next season.
Asked about his future, the Senegal international said: “I’m not in a rush to decide about my future. I would love to continue at this place I call home, but that’s not only my decision to make.”
READ MORE: No excuses – this is what I want to see from Everton’s playersREAD MORE: Twelve Everton concept kits as historic designs nearGueye remains grateful to Everton for the boost his career received at Goodison Park. His first stint led to the growth in his reputation that took him to Paris Saint Germain. Such was his love for the Blues, he told chiefs in the French capital there would only be one place he would leave for – Everton.
Speaking to the betting site SportsBoom, Gueye said: “For me, it’s special. I told PSG if I am going to leave, it will be for one team, and that was Everton. It was not a difficult decision for me because I love this club. That’s why I had to come home.”
That opportunity came under Frank Lampard but the two seasons since saw the club engulfed in relegation battles. Gueye was a key part in helping the club survive that turmoil.
But just being at the place he refers to as ‘home’ means a lot to him. He added: “I am very happy to be here at Everton again, to help and to work hard. I’ll give my soul to this team.
“Coming back here was important to me because I feel like I’m in my home. I’ve followed the team every week and watched how they play. For me, there is no better place than Everton, so that’s why I chose to come back here.”
This season started poorly but has been rejuvenated by another return – that of Moyes. Gueye has arguably been the club’s best player since Moyes’ comeback and has been crucial to the run of form that has taken the Blues 17 points of the relegation zone.
On adapting to life under the new manager, he said: We’re training well. When the manager changes, the training can change with some things. We’re watching more films and working on more tactical things; playing small passes. We’re just trying to do our best and enjoy each moment.”
“Hopefully, this manager will help us get to the next level. That’s what the club deserves, to play at the top level, fighting for Europe, not battling for relegation.”
