Everton's struggles without Gueye suggest Silva could still use McCarthy

By Sam Preston

Everton are ready to loan out midfielder James McCarthy in next month’s transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.

They report that Marco Silva is a fan of the Republic of Ireland midfielder, who of course is continuing his injury return, but he is prepared to let him leave the club on a temporary basis.

There is apparently serious Premier League interest from Brighton, Fulham and Burnley and Marco Silva’s host of midfield options means he is happy to let him leave.

But Silva has just come off the back of a 6-2 humbling at home to Tottenham, where the absence of first choice holding midfielder Idrissa Gueye was keenly felt as the visitors streamed forward at will.

(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Those struggles without a specialist holding midfielder should perhaps make Silva reconsider his January plans for McCarthy, because a side with Everton’s refreshed ambitions cannot concede goals as frequently or easily as they did yesterday.

And if Silva’s response to being without Gueye is just to open up his midfield with two playmakers in there, more humblings are going to be on the cards.

But McCarthy can provide an energetic, defensive midfield alternative, and allowing him to be elsewhere would not be a good look if Everton continue to leak goals.