Former striker Kevin Phillips has told Everton to get midfield outcast Jean-Philippe Gbamin off their books.
The Ivory Coast international arrived at Goodison Park for £25million in August 2019. He was tipped for big things after impressing with Mainz in the German Bundesliga.
But it has never worked out for Gbamin in the Premier League. He has been badly impacted by injuries, limiting him to just four appearances in over two years.
The 26-year-old recently returned to full fitness and played 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup. The Toffees reached the third round of the competition by beating Huddersfield Town 2-1.
However, Gbamin was given a fine and driving ban last month. He hit a car while driving under the influence of alcohol.
When asked about Gbamin’s ban and struggles on Merseyside, Phillips pointed to the case of James Rodriguez.
The playmaker was deemed surplus to requirements at Everton shortly after Rafa Benitez’s arrival. He was subsequently shipped off to Qatar to get rid of his huge wages.
Phillips told Football Insider: “Only the individual can answer for what he’s done.
“But, as a footballer you are in the football [world] and you are setting an example so you cannot condone it [drink driving]. It’s not acceptable. He will take his punishment.
“From a football point of view, he has had injuries, he has not been playing and then this. Come January they may look to move him on.
“Like Rodriguez, they might try to get him off the payroll and use the money to strengthen somewhere else.
“I imagine it’s been difficult for him since moving to Everton and this incident has just topped it off. It is not good to see.”
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Everton star explains fast start
English winger Demarai Gray has explained why he has begun so brightly at Everton.
The 25-year-old opened his account against Leeds United and followed that up with goals against Brighton and Burnley.
His tally of four goal contributions is an important factor to the club’s fast start.
When asked about his form, Gray told Everton TV: “That (consistency) has been my issue over of the past few years. I have a manager here and a team that believe in me and give me the freedom to express myself.
“I’m enjoying my football again. Everything’s clicked well here. I just want to keep working hard to maintain my level and keep improving.”
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